#indigenouseducation

Access Indigenous education and be in financial solidarity with Otaes, who is Black Ramapough Lenape: https://www.patreon.com/Otaes?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=creatorshare

THIS. 

This girl is the newest member of my SHEROES tribe. I love her enthusiasm, vibrancy, courage, but most of all her authenticity. 

“I am a survivor. I share my truth because I honour the path creator chose for me.I share my truth because creator, my ancestors, and loved ones support the strength within me as they stand behind me. I share my truth because Native women and girls need to understand that you are not a victim for sharing your story. You are a survivor. And when you speak you begin to heal years of unresolved historical and intergenerational trauma woven into your DNA. You are Indigenous and beautiful. You are strong and resilient. You are not your trauma, and do not ever give up.” ~ Sutton King/Naeqtaw-Piankiw (Afro-Indigenous and a descendant of the Menominee and Oneida Nations of Wisconsin)

Inclusive education often requires us to challenge narratives of division and "breaking" while fostering empathy through "bridging" (Ruttenberg-Rozen, 2024). Moving from breaking to bridging transforms education into a space of inclusivity. By integrating Indigenous worldviews, such as Buen Vivir, educators can teach students the value of connection, respect, and collective well-being. Buen Vivir aligns closely with john a. powell’s concept of bridging, which fosters understanding and empathy between diverse groups to address systemic issues like othering and inequality (Othering & Belonging Institute, 2017). Together, these ideas provide a powerful framework for creating inclusive education systems.

Breaking In Education

In education, breaking occurs when divisions are created between groups, creating "us vs. them" dynamics (Ruttenberg-Rozen, 2024).. This often leads to the exclusion or marginalization of certain voices, reinforcing systemic inequities (Ruttenberg-Rozen, 2024). For instance, Indigenous knowledge systems are frequently sidelined in favor of dominant narratives, perpetuating breaking (Morales & Calvo, 2022).

Bridging Through Indigenous Worldviews

Bridging, as described by John a. powell, is about fostering understanding and connection across differences (Othering & Belonging Institute, 2017). Buen Vivir, the Misak community's philosophy of harmony and reciprocity, exemplifies bridging by emphasizing balance and mutual respect (Morales & Calvo, 2022).

How Education Can Bridge:

Amplify Marginalized Voices: Incorporate Indigenous teachings like Latá-Latá into classroom practices.

Use Participatory Approaches: Tools like Participatory Video Research (PVR) enable students to collaborate and share their cultural stories, fostering mutual understanding.

Empathy-Driven Lessons: Create opportunities for students to engage with diverse worldviews and reflect on shared human values.

Buen Vivir (Living Well) is an Indigenous philosophy about harmony, reciprocity, and collective well-being (Morales & Calvo, 2022). For the Misak community, it’s lived through Latá-Latá, which means balance between people, nature, and spiritual life (Morales & Calvo, 2022). These ideas offer powerful lessons for education, emphasizing sustainability, equity, and cultural respect.

Educational Value:

Connection to Nature: The Misak view the environment as sacred. Teaching through land-based activities can help students learn sustainability and respect for nature (Morales & Calvo, 2022).

Latá-Latá in Classrooms: This practice encourages balance and equality. Teachers can foster collaboration and community through group projects and discussions on shared responsibility (Morales & Calvo, 2022).

Buen Vivir in Education: It shifts the focus from individual success to collective well-being, teaching students to value community and shared goals (Morales & Calvo, 2022).

By integrating these ideas, we can create inclusive, culturally responsive classrooms that respect Indigenous perspectives.

Below, I have attached an infographic that displays this information. Please feel free to post it in staterooms to encourage your colleagues to imbed Indigenous knowledge systems into their classroom. 🌿📚✨

As someone residing in Ontario and identifying as Métis, I constantly explore ways to connect my personal identity with my teaching practices. One of the ways I do this is by studying Indigenous philosophies like Buen Vivir, practiced by the Misak community in Colombia, and relating it to the Indigenous values and practices here in Ontario.

This comparison helps me reflect on my own identity and practices as a Métis teacher in Ontario. By understanding these parallels, I can bring both global and local Indigenous perspectives into my classroom, creating an inclusive and respectful learning environment.

Connections to Ontario Indigenous Values

Applying This in Teaching:

Respect for Land = Land-Based Learning

Collective Well-Being = Collaborative Projects and Reflecting on the Seven Grandfather Teachings

Professional Development is Key to Supporting Educators! Below, I’ve created and attached a sample email announcement for an Indigenous Education Professional Development workshop. I hope this resource is helpful in promoting meaningful learning opportunities for educators! 🌿✨

Email Template:

Are you ready to transform your teaching and create more inclusive classrooms? We thrilled to introduce our upcoming Professional Development Workshop designed to help educators integrate Indigenous worldviews, such as Buen Vivir and Ontario Indigenous teachings, into their practice.

This full-day workshop will explore:

Land-based learning and its role in fostering respect for nature.

Collaborative storytelling using tools like Participatory Video Research (PVR).

How Indigenous philosophies, like the Medicine Wheel and Dish with One Spoon, align with Ontario’s curriculum.

Practical strategies for designing culturally responsive lesson plans.

💡 Why Attend? You will leave with useful tools, fresh ideas, and a deeper understanding of how to honour Indigenous perspectives in your classroom.

🕒 When: [Insert Date] 📍 Where: [Insert Location]

Attached below is the full itinerary for the workshop—check it out to see the exciting sessions planned!

Weaving Ways: Indigenous Ways of Knowing in Classrooms and Schools (2018) provides a framework to help embed Indigenous knowledge into everyday learning. Based on Weaving Ways: Indigenous Ways of Knowing in Classrooms and Schools (2018), here are four key ways educators can incorporate these Indigenous perspectives into their classrooms:

1. Cultures of Belonging

Creating a classroom that fosters belonging involves embracing the Indigenous idea of wholeness, where every individual is connected and valued. This approach emphasizes mutual respect and inclusion, helping all students feel seen and supported.

Classroom Tip:

Introduce a "Circle of Courage" model, inspired by the medicine wheel, to teach balance and harmony. Engage students in activities like traditional games to explore relationships and cultural connections.

2. Instructional Design

Culturally responsive instructional design incorporates Indigenous and Western ways of knowing to create meaningful learning experiences. It promotes reconciliation by respecting multiple perspectives and deepening student engagement.

Classroom Tip:

Students research Indigenous community members' understanding of a learning outcome, such as sustainability. They then present their findings through storytelling or art, blending cultural insights with curriculum goals.

3. Sharing Through Story

Storytelling is valuable of Indigenous teaching, providing a way to pass knowledge through generations. Stories create connections to content and encourage students to share their experiences, fostering deeper engagement.

Classroom Tip:

Read the poem "Footprints in the Snow" by Nichola Batzel to explore kinship and roles within families. Invite students to reflect on their own family roles through writing or discussion.

4. Pedagogy

Indigenous pedagogy values Two-Eyed Seeing, which combines Indigenous and Western perspectives for a holistic learning approach. This method encourages co-learning and collaboration, fostering respect for diverse ways of knowing.

Classroom Tip:

Combine ideas to expose students to varied ideas and opinions to clarify understanding to broaden perspectives.

(Weaving Ways: Indigenous Ways of Knowing in Classrooms and Schools, 2018)