Indigenizing versus decolonizing the classroom
I found this week’s readings really interesting because it made me reflect about the difference between indigenizing and decolonizing an education system. In McGregor’s reading, it’s evident that Nunavut’s education system has been decolonized as it has been designed by and for Inuit communities. However, in Nichol et al.’s reading, there has been a lot of thought in incorporating Indigenous ways of teaching and knowing, however it’s clear that the system the teachers are working within is still a colonized, western system that has time constraints, exams etc. I have struggled for many years now feeling like I’m not doing enough and that I haven’t decolonized my classroom yet. After reflecting on this week’s readings, I looked at the curriculum for one of the courses I’m teaching this semester (which I’ve linked below) and there is only one bullet point which reflects on integrating anything Indigenous into the curriculum. The bullet point states : Identify and analyze cultural values and symbols in Aboriginal and other texts. It’s challenging to decolonize a classroom, when the system itself does not prioritize decolonizing. Yes, they are trying to indigenize, however there needs to be a systemic shift for it to be completely decolonized. I think I need to remind myself of this on days when I’m feeling defeated.
https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/curriculum/fral/9/core