213 Indigenization and Decolonization
Jennifer Baetz
Courses
Indigenous Digital Literacies curated and designed by Robyn Grebliunas and Connie Strayer (CC BY).
This course explores eight Indigenous digital literacy competencies. They are taken from the B.C. Post-Secondary Digital Literacy Framework and the relevant Indigenous-specific literacies associated with each competency. This course focuses on decolonizing and Indigenizing the post-secondary institution online space, while providing instructor-focused professional development that addresses the Indigenous-specific digital literacies. –website
Indigenous e-Learning Assessment Strategies by Stevie Jonathan (CC BY-NC-SA).
This course explores assessments in post-secondary online studies using a decolonizing approach to education and student success. In this five-module course, participants will critically engage with and adapt e-learning assessment strategies for use in their classrooms. Each module contributes to a cumulative understanding of how Indigenous pedagogies are operationalized and employed to effectively assess students, encourage intellectual self-determination, and support learner flourishing. Format: D2L (Brightspace) export (downloadable as a .zip file).
Pulling Together: Foundations Guide by Kory Wilson (CC BY-NC).
The Foundations Guide is part of an open professional learning series developed for staff across post-secondary institutions in British Columbia. These guides are the result of the Indigenization Project, a collaboration between BCcampus and the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training. The project was supported by a steering committee of Indigenous education leaders from BC universities, colleges, and institutes, the First Nations Education Steering Committee, the Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association, and Métis Nation BC. These guides are intended to support the systemic change occurring across post-secondary institutions through Indigenization, decolonization, and reconciliation. Includes: Learning goals, activities, knowledge checks, and glossary
Other titles in the series:
Pulling Together: A Guide for Curriculum Developers by Asma-na-hi Antoine, Rachel Mason, Roberta Mason, Sophia Palahicky, and Carmen Rodriguez de France.
Pulling Together: A Guide for Front-Line Staff, Student Services, and Advisors by Ian Cull, Robert L. A. Hancock, Stephanie McKeown, Michelle Pidgeon, and Adrienne Vedan.
Pulling Together: A Guide for Leaders and Administrators by Sybil Harrison, Janice Simcoe, Dawn Smith, and Jennifer Stein.
Pulling Together: A Guide for Researchers, Hiłḵ̓ala by Dianne Biin, Deborah Canada, John Chenoweth, and Lou-ann Neel.
Pulling Together: A Guide for Teachers and Instructors by Bruce Allan, Amy Perreault, John Chenoweth, Dianne Biin, Sharon Hobenshield, Todd Ormiston, Shirley Anne Hardman, Louise Lacerte, Lucas Wright, and Justin Wilson.
Other editions:
Pulling Together: Manitoba Foundations Guide (Brandon Edition) by Manitoba Foundations Group (CC BY-NC).
Textbooks
Decolonization and Justice: An Introductory Overview by Muhammad Asadullah; Charmine Cortez; Geena Holding; Hamza Said; Jenna Smith; Kayla Schick; Kudzai Mudyara; Megan Korchak; Nicola Kimber; Noor Shawush; and Stephanie Dyck (CC BY).
‘Decolonization and Justice: An Introductory Overview’ emerged from the undergraduate students’ final assignment in JS-419 on Advanced Seminar in Criminal Justice at the University of Regina’s Department of Justice Studies, Canada. This book focused on decolonization of multiple justice-related areas, such as policing, the court system, prison, restorative justice, and the studies of law and criminology. This is quite likely one of the few student-led book projects in Canada covering the range of decolonization topics. Ten student authors explored the concept of decolonization in law, policing, prison, court, mental health, transitional justice and restorative justice. We are grateful to receive funding support from the University of Regina’s OER Publishing Program Small Project Grant, which enabled us to hire a professional copy editor for the book.
Historical and Contemporary Realities: Movement Towards Reconciliation by Susan Manitowabi (CC BY-NC).
This open textbook is written as a resource for educators to teach students about the Indigenous historical significance of the lands encompassing the Robinson-Huron Treaty area and more specifically the Greater Sudbury and Manitoulin area. It also, through the use of interactive mapping strategies, serves as a guide for educators to develop a similar resource to document Indigenous stories from their own areas. Includes: Instructor and student resources
Indigenous Healthcare Education and Practice: Applying Digital Teaching and Learning Resources to the TRC’s Calls to Action by Shalisa Barton, Bailey Brant, Lindsay Brant, Rachel Burger, Nicholas Cofie, Holly Crowson, Nancy Dalgarno, Mikaila Da Silva, et al. (CC BY-NC-ND).
The topics of the digital collection were informed by collaborations with researchers and practitioners in healthcare and education, community partners, and learners. The creation of the digital collection was informed by the TRC’s Calls to Action and the principle of two-eyed seeing, which focuses on facilitating an online experience that respects and builds on the strengths of both Indigenous and Western ways of knowing and learning.
Indigenous Information Literacy∗ by Rachel Chong (CC BY-NC-ND).
This book outlines best principles for working with Indigenous print and oral sources in academic research. Topics include evaluating Indigenous print sources for credibility and authenticity, finding Indigenous authors, and respectfully working with Elders.
Indigenous Perspectives on Business Ethics and Business Law in British Columbia by Annette Sorensen, Scott van Dyk , and Marianne Brørup Weston (CC BY).
This book explores business ethics and business law through the lens of Indigenous-settler relations in Canada (with a focus on British Columbia in particular). It aims to fill a gap in business curriculum and support instructors who want to bring Indigenous content into their classes. The book starts by exploring relevant history, focusing on treaties, legislation, and federal government policy. It then looks at business ethics and what it means for businesses to work ethically with Indigenous communities. And finally, the book discusses business law and the requirements and responsibilities for businesses doing work on Indigenous lands. Includes: end-of-chapter questions, PowerPoint slides
Indigenous Teaching Resources: Students Collection∗ Edited by Katelyn Bouvier, Michelle Souliere, Lilach Marom, and Rachel Chong (CC BY-NC-ND).
A compilation of resources to support Indigenous education initiatives. Includes picture book and chapter book use for K-12 classrooms. Activities to support mathematics and science-based learning. A portion of resources is also dedicated to intergenerational learning.
In Their Mocassins by Sarena Johnson, Montana Paypompee, Kelsey Whissel, Samantha Mandamin, Kyle Desjarlais, Miranda Black, Mkons Stone-Debassige, and Jeremie Caribou (CC BY-NC-ND).
In Their Moccasins is an online game environment based on the “choose your own adventure” storybook format. The game supports the education of allies about Indigenous ways of knowing, learning, and being. It fosters empathy toward the experiences of Indigenous peoples with the goal of building solidarity with an Indigenous resurgence in higher education and beyond.
Knowing Home: Braiding Indigenous Science with Western Science, Book 1 Edited by Gloria Snively and Wanosts’a7 Lorna Williams (CC BY-NC-SA).
Book 1 provides an overview of why traditional knowledge and wisdom should be included in the science curriculum, a window into the science and technologies of the Indigenous peoples who live in Northwestern North America, Indigenous worldview, culturally responsive teaching strategies and curriculum models, and evaluative techniques. It is intended that the rich examples and cases, combined with the resources listed in the appendices, will enable teachers and students to explore Indigenous Science examples in the classroom; and in addition, support the development of culturally appropriate curriculum projects. Reviews: BCcampus – eCampusOntario Open Library.
Knowing Home: Braiding Indigenous Science with Western Science, Book 2 Edited by Gloria Snively and Wanosts’a7 Lorna Williams (CC BY-NC-SA).
Knowing Home attempts to capture the creative vision of Indigenous scientific knowledge and technology that is derived from an ecology of a home place. The traditional wisdom component of Indigenous Science—the values and ways of decision-making—assists humans in their relationship with each other, the land and water, and all of creation. Indigenous perspectives have the potential to give insight and guidance to the kind of environmental ethics and deep understanding that we must gain as we attempt to solve the increasingly complex problems of the 21st century. This book provides a window into the vast storehouse of innovations and technologies of the Indigenous peoples who live in Northwestern North America. It is our hope that the Indigenous Science examples, research, and curriculum models will inspire deep reflection regarding the under-representation of Aboriginal students in the sciences. It is intended that the rich examples and cases, combined with the resources listed in the appendices, will enable teachers and students to explore Indigenous Science examples in the classroom, and in addition, support the development of curriculum projects in home places. Book 2 provides supportive research, case studies, curriculum projects and commentary that extends and enriches the chapters presented in Book 1.
Living Earth Community: Multiple Ways of Being and Knowing Edited by Sam Mickey, Mary Evelyn Tucker, and John Grim (CC BY-NC-ND) (selected chapters under CC BY).
Living Earth Community: Multiple Ways of Being and Knowing is a celebration of the diversity of ways in which humans can relate to the world around them, and an invitation to its readers to partake in planetary coexistence. Innovative, informative, and highly accessible, this interdisciplinary anthology of essays brings together scholars, writers and educators across the sciences and humanities, in a collaborative effort to illuminate the different ways of being in the world and the different kinds of knowledge they entail – from the ecological knowledge of Indigenous communities, to the scientific knowledge of a biologist and the embodied knowledge communicated through storytelling. This anthology examines the interplay between Nature and Culture in the setting of our current age of ecological crisis, stressing the importance of addressing these ecological crises occurring around the planet through multiple perspectives. These perspectives are exemplified through diverse case studies – from the political and ethical implications of thinking with forests, to the capacity of storytelling to motivate action, to the worldview of the Indigenous Okanagan community in British Columbia. Includes: Vlog series.
Our Stories: First Peoples in Canada by a collective from Centennial College (CC BY-NC-ND).
Led by a diverse team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous creators, Our Stories: First Peoples in Canada is a unique multi-media resource developed with Indigenous peoples from across Canada. Eliciting an unsettling of Western authority, this free eTextbook encourages recognition that moves beyond a colonial lens. This dynamic text allows the reader to engage with Indigenous histories, culture, and knowledge in a unique format that includes videos, podcasts, interactive tools, and more. Our Stories: First Peoples in Canada includes: contemporary and historic information and media; a balance of sources about injustice and resistance; both urban and remote Indigenous perspectives in Canada; and oral stories about the lived experiences of Indigenous community members. Answering the Truth and Reconciliation of Canada’s Calls to Action, the team developed Our Stories: First Peoples in Canada through a decolonizing lens. The materials present a balance of historical and contemporary materials that value Indigenous perspectives. Includes: Videos and podcasts
Skoden: Teaching, Talking, and Sharing About and for Reconciliation by Laureen Blu Waters, Randy Pitawanakwat, and Darcey Dachyshyn (CC BY-NC-SA).
In Skoden, instructors, staff, and administrators consider how to decolonize and Indigenize those aspects of post-secondary settings they are responsible for. Through a lens of looking back to understand how to go forward in reconciliation, participants learn about Indigenous teachings, Canadian colonization, the history and impact of treaties, and contemporary Indigenous challenges and resilience.
Talking Stories: Encyclopedia of Traditional Ecological Knowledge∗ by Michelle Scalise Sugiyama (CC BY-NC-ND).
Talking Stories explores oral storytelling as one of humanity’s earliest information technologies. For most of their existence as a species, humans have made their living as hunter-gatherers, which requires extensive, nuanced ecological knowledge. In the absence of writing, storytelling and other forms of symbolic behavior (e.g., art, song, dance, ritual, games) provided mnemonic frameworks for storing this knowledge, rules for faithfully copying it, and regular occasions for refreshing and transmitting it. Talking Stories is an open educational resource dedicated to raising awareness of hunter-gatherer literary traditions and ecological knowledge, and encouraging their incorporation into Western teaching. To this end, it aggregates stories from diverse foraging peoples across the planet, explicates the ecological knowledge encoded in these stories, and guides users to additional resources. It is intended for use by educators seeking to integrate traditional Indigenous literature and natural history into their courses, and by students and researchers interested in the origins of literature, science, and cultural transmission.
Website
Empowering the Spirit: Educational Resource to Support Reconciliation∗ by Alberta Regional Professional Development Consortia (CC BY-NC-ND).
Empowering the Spirit is a collection of resources curated to increase awareness and understanding of First Nations, Métis and Inuit histories, perspectives and ways of knowing. The collection of tools, videos and websites found within Empowering the Spirit lend support to teachers and school leaders as they endeavor to weave Indigenous knowledge systems into their current practice. (Note: this resource contain material that is specific to Alberta).
Videos
Stories of Decolonization by Gladys Rowe, Teddy Zegeye-Gebrehiwot, and Elizabeth Carlson-Manathara (CC BY-NC-ND).
Stories of Decolonization is a multi-film interview-based documentary project that shares personal stories in order to explore accessible understandings of colonialism and its continued impact on those living on the lands now called Canada. It also explores notions and actions of decolonization. Film One – Stories of Decolonization: Land Dispossession and Settlement (curriculum and definitions) Film Two – Stories of Decolonization: Decolonial Relations (curriculum and video under “Supplementary Materials”). Formats: Website, video, and PDF.
Media Attributions
- Canada Map Icon by Icons8 (CC BY-ND).
- BC Map by Adamwashere (CC BY-NC-SA).
- Sask map by Wikimedia Commons (Public domain).
- See Canadian Federation of Library Associations (CFLA) (2018), Truth and Reconciliation Report and Recommendations. ↵
- Resources in this chapter are based on OER by Discipline Guide: University of Ottawa (Version 2.0 – June 2022) Copyright © 2022 by Mélanie Brunet and Catherine Lachaîne (CC-BY).