A Holistic Approach to Indigenous Education

The Story of the Holistic Approach to Indigenous Education

The Holistic Approach to Indigenous Education was developed by the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board Indigenous Education Department in November 2021. It was partially inspired by the Holistic Cycle of Learning and What Matters in Indigenous Education.

We are in the East, preparing the soil. We begin by addressing our gaps in knowing and understanding as educators. 

1. What do you know about the impact of colonization on Indigenous peoples? What do you need to learn next?

2. What conditions are required for staff and students to learn about Indigenous knowledge, perspectives, culture, and history?

3. When do you practice seeing the ways you’ve always done things through a new lens?

Click here for a version you can print or download.

The Holistic Cycle of Learning (below) was developed by the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board Indigenous Education Department as a way to lead learning in the Grade 11 English Resources: NBE course

Preparing to Teach (Using a Holistic Approach)

“Reading the world always precedes reading the word, and reading the word implies continually reading the world.” Paulo Freire

We teach students to read the words and the world. As we move through bringing curriculum to life, aim to select resources that enhance students' understanding of each subject and of their own lived experiences. 

We can use a holistic approach to determine what we are learning and how we are learning.

Consider the Art of Teaching

1. Reflect on the pedagogical practices and choices you will make in the integration of Indigenous Knowledge and pedagogical practices. 

2. Before using a resource, always make sure that it is right for your students and their learning at that time. 

3. Use the Tool for Evaluating Resources for Anti-Indigenous Bias as a guide when selecting Indigenous-centered resources.

Consider Assessment

1. When designing learning, it is critical that planned experiences are based on clear learning goals and criteria that reflect the curriculum. 

2. With clarity about these dimensions of the core practices of assessment for learning, educators are encouraged to then make decisions about which resources, texts, videos, etc., will support student learning and support consolidation of intended learning. 

3. With this approach to intentional planning, educators will avoid the resource trap and prioritize the learning in a way that it is owned by the learner and able to be generalized to new contexts and learning.

Consider Indigenous Knowledge Protocols

1. Review the KPR Principles of Indigenous Education. They are the lens through which we enter into all work in Indigenous Education at KPR.

2. Reflect on the Holistic Approach to Indigenous Education at KPR. As a system our focus is on the East, Preparing the Soil. The Essential Considerations for Indigenous Education document will help show ways to empower Indigenous voices.

3. Consider the Guiding Practices section in the Science Resource Guide as an example. It includes notes specific to each grade.

4. Visit the Passport to reconciliACTION for more connections and resources. 

5. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Indigenous Education Department. 

How to Use Holistic Approaches to Inform Inquiry-Inspired Learning

Holistic approaches can be used to guide your planning and the ways you lead students to learn and/or engage in a task. For example, the K-8 Science Curriculum (2022) emphasizes cross-curricular and integrated learning. Fostering curiosity and wonder are at the core of learning for all grades. A circle is used to show the scientific research process.

Below is an example of how you might use holistic approaches to guide inquiry. 

• Under each big idea are teacher prompts for each of the three circles. 

• You can explore one circle as a class or all three. 

• Begin with connecting students to their own lived experiences. This invites every student to see themselves in the topic explored. 

• Then you can explore the idea using scientific research and/or Indigenous knowledge. Repetition and working through each of the three circles is an ideal way to engage students in learning. 

• Click here to read more in the Making Connections with the K-8 Science Curriculum and Indigenous Education: A KPR Resource Guide.