Watch Hippothesis

Indigenius is a television show that features the history, culture, and traditions of Indigenous people across Canada. The program has a unique focus on Indigenous science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects, and uses storytelling as a means to explore the complex issues and innovations within these fields.

One of the standout episodes of the series is Hippothesis, which follows the work of Dr. Joanne Noel and her team studying the DNA of hippos on the Khwai River in Botswana. Noel is Anishinaabe from Kitigan Zibi in Quebec and Director of New Sun, a research institute that aims to decolonize STEM and promote Indigenous-led research.

The episode begins with Noel and her team traveling down the Khwai River in a motored boat, scanning the shoreline for hippo pods to collect biological samples. In interviews and voiceovers, Noel explains that the study aims to help fill in the gaps of what we know about the hippopotamus, which found its way to Africa from South America about 8 million years ago. With very limited information available about the ancestry and migration of hippos, Noel and her team are attempting to put together a comprehensive picture of how this unique species of animal evolved and how they interact with their environment today.

Throughout the episode, there are stunning shots of the hippos in their natural habitat, grunting and playing in the water. In one particularly exciting scene, the team manages to collect a skin sample from a hippo that has come out of the water onto the shore.

The process of collecting DNA from hippo skin and feces is detailed, and we see members of the team analyzing samples in the lab. The team uses cutting-edge technology to sequence and compare the samples, but also incorporates traditional Anishinaabe techniques, such as smudging and prayer, to honor the animals they are studying.

The show is careful to emphasize the ethical considerations of studying wild animals, especially when it comes to preventing harm to the species or its habitat. Noel and her team work closely with local organizations and communities, seeking to strike a balance between scientific curiosity and preservation of the environment.

Throughout the episode, Noel's Anishinaabe heritage is also a consistent theme. She shares her love for the natural world, which she explains as a fundamental aspect of Indigenous culture. Noel explains how this passion for nature, along with her training as a geneticist, led her on a path towards studying hippos.

The combination of Indigenous and scientific knowledge is powerfully illustrated throughout the episode. For example, Noel frequently cites Indigenous Elders and knowledge-keepers, who provide insights on traditional teachings that complement or even contradict Western scientific methods. Noel notes that while DNA sequencing can provide information on the history of a species, it cannot tell the story of how it has interacted with the environment, the relationships it has formed with other species, or what the psyche of the animal might be.

Towards the end of the episode, Noel reflects on the importance of having Indigenous voices in the STEM fields, which have traditionally been dominated by Western perspectives. By incorporating traditional knowledge into scientific research, Noel hopes to not only uncover new findings but also develop a more complete and respectful understanding of the world around us.

In conclusion, Hippothesis is a fascinating episode of Indigenius that showcases the work of Dr. Joanne Noel and her team in studying the DNA of hippos on the Khwai River in Botswana. The show combines cutting-edge scientific research with Indigenous ways of knowing, providing insights into the complexity of this unique species of animal. The episode also highlights the importance of incorporating Indigenous perspectives into the STEM fields, and the potential for a more holistic approach to science when these two ways of knowing are brought together.

Hippothesis is a series that ran for 1 seasons (26 episodes) between February 28, 2019 and on Indigenius