Can D2L Brightspace become a sacred ceremonial space for sharing Blackfoot stories and knowledge?
At Mount Royal University, Dr. Christopher Grignard, Assistant Professor in the Department of English, Languages, and Cultures, wanted students in his North American Indigenous Literatures course to learn through oral tradition and the life stories of Blackfoot Elder and Niitsitapi ceremonialist Joe Eagle Tail Feathers (Iitsooahp’potah). He worked with Joe Eagle Tail Feathers and eLearning Developer Khethwen Woo to create Blackfoot Odyssey.
With Joe Eagle Tail Feathers' permission, Woo used elements of his tipi design to shape the Brightspace course, creating an experience that feels like being in Joe’s tipi. Grignard says it was important to work with Joe Eagle Tail Feathers, not speak for him, so the stories would be shared accurately and respectfully. Joe Eagle Tail Feathers' stories of adventure, challenge and overcoming hardship offer a chance to share Blackfoot perspectives in his own voice.
Key takeaways:
- Joe’s life stories and tipi design helped shape the course
- The team worked with Joe Eagle Tail Feathers' knowledge and permission
- The course brings oral tradition and Indigenous literature into Brightspace
“This is our chance to show dominant society, mainstream society, something different, something that's real from us.” — Joe Eagle Tail Feathers (Iitsooahp’potah)
The team’s work earned Mount Royal University a 2026 D2L Excellence Award, presented at Fusion, D2L’s annual user conference. Explore the award-winning collaboration to learn how the team reimagined Brightspace as a sacred learning space for Blackfoot stories and knowledge