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Contact Ashley Edwards, Indigenous Initiatives and Instruction Librarian, with any questions.
Eurocentric monologue and the need for Indigenous curriculum
During the open forums held by the Aboriginal Reconciliation Council (ARC) members “heard that many faculty members wish to Indigenize their courses, but do not know how to do this or what resources are available to help them” (Walk This Path With Us, p. 33). Additionally, the Council heard multiple times that “non-Aboriginals know very little about Aboriginal history, languages, and cultures” (p. 16).
These two statements illustrate the same concern, that historically Indigenous knowledge and topics has been left out of the curriculum. As Marie Battiste (Mi’kmaw) writes, “Canada’s educational institutions have largely ignored, and continue to ignore, Indigenous knowledge and pedagogy” (p. 87). This has created a “Eurocentric monologue” (p. 87) in Canadian education institutions, and resulted in a knowledge imbalance since “the group that controls the meanings and diffusion of knowledge exercises power and privilege over other groups” (p. 96). In other words, “the authority structures of the university remain White, and the values of Whiteness continue to be naturalized” (Henry et al, 2016, p. 35).
These values are often found in curriculum. As stated in the ARC report, “Racist attitudes are inherent in course design and materials” (p. 16). How can they not be, when universities and curriculum have foundations in Western-European knowledge and values? Indigenizing curriculum is about transforming curriculum and teaching practices to include Indigenous knowledges. It goes beyond adding Indigenous scholars to the syllabus (though that’s encouraged!) by “weaving or braiding together two distinct knowledge systems so that learners can come to understand and appreciate both” (Antoine et al, 2018, Section 1).
Sources for general guidance and information
These resources here are recommended for general guidance and information.
For subject specific resources, contact your liaison librarian.
For curriculum support, contact the Centre for Educational Excellence (CEE).
Books
Articles
Case studies
Applying Indigenizing Principles of Decolonizing Methodologies in University Classrooms, Dustin William Louie, Yvonne Poitras-Pratt, Aubrey Jean Hanson, Jacqueline Ottmann, Ashley Pullman, Michelle Pidgeon, Canadian Journal of Higher Education, 2017, 47(3).
The Five R’s for Indigenizing Online Learning: A Case Study of the First Nations Schools’ Principals Course; Danielle Tessaro, Jean-Paul Restoule, Patricia Gaviria, Joseph Flessa, Carlana Lindeman, Carlana, and Coleen Scully-Stewart, 2018.
Toward Being Inclusive: Intentionally Weaving Online Learning, Reconciliation, and Intercultural Development; Heather Williams, New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 2019 (157).
Community of practice
Two-Eyed Seeing and other lessons learned within a co-learning journey of bringing together indigenous and mainstream knowledges and ways of knowing; Cheryl Bartlett, Murdena Marshall, and Albert Marshall, Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, 2012, 2(4).
Unsettling Faculty Minds: A Faculty Learning Community on Indigenization; Michelle Yeo, Liam Haggarty, Wathu Wida (Thomas Snow), Kent Ayoungman, Chatherine M.L. Pearl, Tanya Stogre, and Angela Waldie, New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 2019, 157.
Indigenizing pedagogy
An English Language Teacher's Pedagogical Response to Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission; Jennifer Walsh Marr, New directions for teaching and learning, 2019, 157.
As If Indigenous Knowledge and Communities Mattered: Transformative Education in First Nations Communities in Canada; Jessica Ball, American Indian Quarterly, 2004, 28(3/4).
Changing the subject in teacher education: Centering Indigenous, diasporic, and settler colonial relations, Martin John Cannon, Cultural and Pedagogical Inquiry, 2013, 4(2).
Culturally Responsive Pedagogy: Indigenizing Curriculum; Karen Ragoonaden and Lyle Mueller, The Canadian Journal of Higher Education, 2017, 47(2).
Decolonizing Education in Canadian Universities: An Interdisciplinary, International, Indigenous Research Project; Marie Battiste, Lynne Bell, and L.M. Findlay, Canadian Journal of Native Education, 2002, 26(2).
Indigenization as inclusion, reconciliation, and decolonization: navigating the different visions for indigenizing the Canadian Academy; Adam Gaudry and Danielle Lorenz, AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, 2018, 14(3).
Untying a Dreamcatcher: Coming to Understand Possibilities for Teaching Students of Aboriginal Inheritance; Antionette Oberg, David Blades, and Jennifer S. Thom, Educational Studies, 2007, 42(2).
Web resources
Aboriginal Worldviews and Education [online course] Jean-Paul Restoule, University of Toronto
This course is "intended for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal learners, this course will explore indigenous ways of knowing and how they can benefit all students."
Building Relationships in Indigenous Education [video presentation, 1 hr 2 min] Ryan Neepin, Dr. Angela Nardozi (host), April 26, 2019
Decolonizing Pedagogies Teacher Reference Booklet [booklet] Heather E. McGregor, Service Project for Aboriginal Focus School, Vancouver School Board (via EDST 591 “Indigenous Epistemology and Curriculum"), 2012
Indigenizing Curriculum | The Hub for Teaching and Learning Excellence [video presentation, 1 hr 2 min] Kim Anderson, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences, March 14, 2019
Indigenizing the Academy: Indigenous Perspectives and Eurocentric Challenges [video presentation, 1 hr 18 min] Marie Battisten & Sákéj Henderson, UWinnipeg, April 13, 2016
Indigenous storywork [website] Q’um Q’um Xiiem/Jo-ann Archibald
"The purpose of this website is to help educators learn about Indigenous cultures and ways of knowing, predominantly through Indigenous traditional and life-experience stories."
Interrupting the Academy: Decolonizing and Indigenizing the Curriculum [video presentation, 1 hr 17 min] Justin Wilson, Shirley Hardman, & Shelly Johnson, Simon Fraser University, November 3, 2020
Pulling Together: A guide for Indigenization of post-secondary school students [Indigenization guides] BCcampus
The guides for Curriculum Developers, and Teachers & Instructors would be particularly helpful in Indigenizing your course, and the Foundations Guide is a great starting point in learning about Indigenous Peoples in Canada; furthermore, BCcampus released a two-part video presentation on an Introduction to the Curriculum Developers Guide for Indigenization in January 2021.
Selecting Resources with Indigenous Content [video presentation, 1 hr 25 min] John Doran, Dr. Angela Nardozi (host), August 22, 2018
Stop Talking: Indigenous ways of teaching and learning and difficult dialogues in higher education [ebook] Ilarion (Larry) Merculieff and Libby Roderick, University of Alaska Anchorage, 2013
Two-Eyed Seeing: Elder Albert Marshall’s guiding principle for inter-cultural collaboration [summary] Elder Albert Marshall, Thinkers Lodge, September 28 – October 1, 2017
What do Decolonization and Indigenization look like in the Classroom? [video presentation, 1 hr, 3 min] Shauneen Pete, Dr. Angela Nardozi (host), May 7, 2020
Whose land is it anyway? A manual for decolonization [ebook and audiobook, available in French] Taiaiake Alfred, Glen Coulthard, Russell Diabo, Beverly Jacobs, Melina Laboucan-Massimo, Arthur Manuel, Kanahus Manuel, Jeffrey McNeil-Seymour, Pamela Palmater, Shiri Pasternak, Nicole Schabus, Senator Murray Sinclair, & Sharon Venne, 2018
Curriculum materials
The resources shared here are starting points for engaging in subject specific Indigenizing and decolonizing work. While they are organized according to SFU faculties, there is overlap in ideas and interests since Indigenous worldviews are w/holistic, and there is an interconnectedness of knowledges.
There are more materials in the ICRC to support this work. To read more about the design elements of the space, collections, and classification system, see Doing the work in a good way: Information for instructors and course designers about the Indigenous Curriculum.
Including Indigenous voices and experiences are one way to Indigenize your course syllabus. This reading list provides fiction and non-fiction suggestions to help you get started. The Learning towards Reconciliation guide provides sources that introduces Indigenous topics, frame history in an Indigenous lens, and dispel commonly held myths about Indigenous Peoples.
General/Multi-disciplinary
CBC Podcast in the Class: Free education resources for Canadian kids [podcast] Secret Life of Canada, CBC Podcasts
While the course materials are aimed at high school students, the episodes offer an introduction to topics such as the Indian Act, and impacts of colonization in Northern communities. Activities could be adapted as needed for a BC focus (e.g. the canoe mapping activity for the Secret Life of Water). In addition to the episodes with lesson plans, there are many more on Indigenous topics and people.
How do you talk about Indigenous issues in the classroom? University of British Columbia
A research project that explores difficult discussions of Aboriginal issues that take place in classrooms at the University of British Columbia." Available are videos, interviews, and discussion topics with accompanying workshop materials.
Indigenous art practices: A professional development series, SFU Faculty of Education, Bill Reid Centre, and SFU Library Indigenous Initiatives
This workshop series content was designed with K-12 educators in mind who wish to incorporate the Indigenous arts into their educational practices. This archival website makes available resources used and videos of key presentations made during the sessions. We invite teachers and other educators from any discipline or support service area to use them to deepen their learning around Indigenous art practices.
Salish Weave Box Sets: Art & Storytelling and companion website
This project is centred around highlighting the voices of the artists within the Salish Weave Collection Box Sets, which are collected sets of art prints by Coast Salish artists. These box sets have been gifted to school districts across Vancouver Island and the lower mainland, post-secondary institutions, museums, and galleries. In recorded conversations between the artists, Ashley Edwards, and Courtney Vance, artists share their influences, processes, what it’s like being a First Nations artist, and how art is a source of knowledge sharing. The companion website is an interactive extension of the recorded conversations.
Virtual exhibits [museum exhibit] Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Simon Fraser University
The museum's virtual exhibits are on topics such as canoes and waterways, bentwood boxes, houses, and northwest coast totem poles. Each exhibit includes information and images.
What do Decolonization and Indigenization look like in the Classroom? [video presentation, 1 hr, 3 min] Shauneen Pete, Dr. Angela Nardozi (host), May 7, 2020
Whose land is it anyway? A manual for decolonization [ebook and audiobook] Taiaiake Alfred, Glen Coulthard, Russell Diabo, Beverly Jacobs, Melina Laboucan-Massimo, Arthur Manuel, Kanahus Manuel, Jeffrey McNeil-Seymour, Pamela Palmater, Shiri Pasternak, Nicole Schabus, Senator Murray Sinclair, & Sharon Venne, 2018
Voices from here [videos and educational guide] Canadian Encyclopedia
The "video series features stories of First Nations, Inuit and Métis participants. These stories shed light on histories of resilience and resurgence.”
SFU Faculties
Sample assignments
Do you have an example of an Indigenized or decolonized assignment or activity that you’re willing to share? Contact Ashley at
Native land claims and treaties in BC, SFU Centre for Education, Law, and Society
Positionality statement, ENGL 359
Postionality statement and land acknowledgement workshop, Decolonizing the Library Interest Group
Wikipedia contributions, FNST/HIST 325
Capstone project and marking rubric, BISC 410
ISTLD grant program database
Search for the following grant programs:
- Disrupting Colonialism through Teaching: An Integrated Seminar Series and Grants Program
- Faculty Inquiry Grants: Decolonizing and Indigenizing Curricula
References
Antoine, A., Mason, R., Mason, R., Palahicky, S. & Rodriguez de France, C. (2018). Pulling Together: A Guide for Curriculum Developers.
Battiste, M. (2013). Decolonizing education: Nourishing the learning spirit.
Henry, F., Dua, E., James, C.E., Kobayashi, A., Li, P., Ramos, H., & Smith, M.S. (2017). The equity myth: Racialization and Indigeneity at Canadian universities.
SFU Aboriginal Reconciliation Council. (2017). Walk this path with us.