Decolonizing Pedagogies

Pedagogy refers to teaching and learning and the way that knowledge is produced through the interaction of the teachers, the students, different perspectives, personal experiences, cultural teachings, the and a transformation of consciousness. 

Indigenous Pedagogies differ very much from European Pedagogies. Please see the INDIGENOUS PEDAGOGIES page for more information.

1. Teacher preparation that examines and decolonizes mainstream education practices;

2. Engaging with content that illustrates the rights of Aboriginal peoples and allows Aboriginal learners to be empowered; 

3. Facilitating opportunities to learn from place (or the local land and community); 

4. An understanding of local customary protocols and community expectations; 

5. Inclusion of Elders in instruction, for storytelling, Indigenous language instruction, ceremonies and other pedagogies for learning consistent with Aboriginal pedagogy;

6. Taking students into the bush or onto the land/sea; 

7. Employing community members to carry out instruction or co-instruction with the teacher in language, arts, environmental knowledge, governance, etc.; 

8. Using learning resources or materials that do not perpetuate colonial myths and stereotypical representations; 

9. Asking Aboriginal community members for suggestions of appropriate resources or materials that are culturally- and locally-relevant; and 

10. Matching teachers with an Aboriginal mentor from the community to help with networking and creating the right environment for opportunities like Aboriginal community instruction.