Indigenous Ways of Knowing

Holistic Education and Indigenous Values

Before western colonial expansion and oppressive global capitalist industries, education in North America was holistic. Indigenous values and worldviews emphasize holism and interconnection within and between all aspects of life (Miller, 2019). There is not a natural separation between education and the rest of a person's experience, but rather they are deeply intertwined (Chrona). Such an approach offers the potential to see and honour the complexity of each learner, and connect them more deeply to the communities and world around them.

Furthermore, we advance holistic principles of education rooted in indigenous values and knowledge, we are also contributing to a process of decolonization and justice.

For these reasons it is important when exploring holistic education, especially in a social studies context to acknowledge and understand its deepest roots. It is through these indigenous roots that we can reimagine and recreate our social studies education.

Check out the First Peoples Principles of Learning to learn more about traditional indigenous approaches to education

Incorporating Indigenous Ways of Knowing into the Classroom

High school social studies serves as a particularly compelling arena to incorporate indigenous ways of knowing into the classroom. Indigenous histories, cultures and value systems can all be explored within the class experientially through holistic approaches and opportunities for reflection and connections. Chrona notes that including First Peoples' perspectives in social studies classes requires a critical examination of what is considered important to teach, whose voices and whose viewpoints have been devalued (Chrona). See the below steps and resources to help guide you on your journey.

Step 1: Learn about whose land you're on

You can use the great tool native-land in order to do so.

Step 2: Learn about them and other nations

Once you know whose land learn more about their practices. 4 Directions Teachings gives great information about five nations across Canada through interactive narrated video. All information and stories were contributed by elders from each nation. They also have a teacher toolkit here.

Step 3: Learn the frameworks and ideas for incorporating indigenous worldviews into the classroom

Check out Aboriginal Worldviews and Perspectives in the Classroom that gives helpful guidance and tips including:

Avoiding reliance on colonial era secondary resources
Incorporating place-based learning with a local focus
Getting students interested and engaged in the natural world
Learn some traditional stories and use them when teachable moments arise
Look for ways to relate student learning to students, their families and communities

Step 4: Practice incorporating practices into your teaching that stem from these learnings

For a fantastic resource that explores tangible strategies and practices related to the below guiding questions, explore Weaving Ways of Knowing.

How can it all come together?

Check out how one indigenous educator incorporated some of these principles in their school unit, Walking on the Land of our Ancestors, here.

References

Chrona, J. First Peoples Principles of Learning. First Peoples Principles of Learning. https://firstpeoplesprinciplesoflearning.wordpress.com/Miller, J. P. (2019). The holistic curriculum. University of Toronto press.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse