Indigenous peoples view education as a way to improve their social conditions and achieve self-determination. However, many education systems lack knowledge of Indigenous ways of learning. This gap can lead to poor outcomes for Indigenous students.
Teachers should foster a respectful learning environment. They should also allow time for students to connect intellect, spirituality, and their understanding of the physical world.
Assimilative schools
Many Indigenous youth in rural areas are experiencing a form of educational assimilation. They are being educated in schools that have a strong English-speaking culture and that are not geared towards the cultural worldview of Indigenous students. These schools are not providing an equal education and do not support the development of a student’s holistic wellbeing. These schools also lack adequate resources, which can impact the quality of teaching and learning. However, the good news is that there are programs designed to empower Indigenous youth and help them achieve success in school. These programs include mentorship programs, cultural competency training, and the integration of traditional knowledge.
Assimilative schools are often located in remote communities, where there is no local market for a school choice. This can be problematic for parents who do not have the resources to access schools in metropolitan areas. The lack of choices can lead to an educational experience that is not suited to the needs of the community, and can result in negative outcomes for the health of Indigenous students.
A recent study showed that mentoring programs can have a positive effect on the overall health and wellbeing of Indigenous youth. Specifically, it can improve their sense of social support and the ability to seek help. It can also promote healthy lifestyle behaviors and increase school engagement. Another benefit of the program is that it allows participants to develop a stronger connection to their home culture.
The study was based on the concept that mentoring programs can help young people become resilient to stress and trauma. This is especially true for Aboriginal children, who may have to deal with high levels of emotional distress and have limited social support. The program is a randomized controlled trial and has been published in the journal PLOS ONE. It involved 448 participants and prioritized collaboration and partnership with Indigenous communities and families. The study aimed to identify the best way to help Indigenous youth thrive in school and in life. The researchers found that mentorship programs, which focused on the cultural context of students, had the most positive impacts on their overall health and wellbeing.
Decentralization
In recent years, Indigenous peoples have developed initiatives to center and promote Indigenous methods of education. These efforts are largely grassroots and focus on passing down Indigenous knowledge, language and culture to future generations. They also address the ongoing challenges of human rights violations and loss of land and heritage.
Indigenous peoples have a right to education that reflects their values and priorities. These include respect for the environment, cultural preservation, and an emphasis on Indigenous ways of life and worldviews. However, many educational systems do not incorporate these values or perspectives in their curriculum. This is a major concern, especially for Indigenous youth who may not be exposed to these values or worldviews in their schools.
The IEI is working to change this by developing new forms of Indigenous scholarship that will affect educational practice and policies. This initiative is supported by a steering committee consisting of prominent scholars and leaders from diverse backgrounds, including Linda Smith (Maori, Ngati Awa Iwi), Bryan Brayboy (Lumbee), Anthony Craig (Yakama), Megan Bang (Ojibwe, Lakota), Cynthia Soto (Lakota), and Keiki Kawai’ae’a (Native Hawaiian).
IEI is pursuing a long-term vision for indigenous education that is grounded in the values of community and country. Its goal is to contribute to a more sustainable, safe, equitable and prosperous indigenous future through a reimagining of the foundations of knowledge and teaching practices. The initiative seeks philanthropic support to ensure that it can continue its work well beyond its current five-year mandate.
To develop a sustainable model, the IEI has created partnerships with organizations that support and empower Indigenous youth. These partnerships include the Resurgence Initiative, which works to influence systems of education nationally to incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing and learning into their curriculum. The initiative is also working to center Indigenous communities and build relationships with them through a number of programs and workshops, such as the “Empowerment through Indigenous Education” workshop in Edmonton, Alberta. This workshop focuses on the use of intercultural learning to help youth gain better understandings of the diversity of Indigenous ways of knowing and constructing the world.
Indigenous methods of education
Indigenous students often experience educational disadvantage, and many struggle to engage with the education they receive. Educators need to incorporate the cultural knowledge and ways of knowing into their classrooms. This is a crucial part of addressing the calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Several organizations work to promote indigenous methods of education.
The main purpose of these organizations is to teach students how to use their cultural knowledge and ways of knowing to address issues they face in school. This approach allows them to gain a deeper understanding of their own culture and history. Moreover, it gives them the confidence to bring this knowledge to their classrooms. These organizations also train teachers to incorporate indigenous teaching into their classes.
One important aspect of Indigenous education is the importance of family and community. Teachers should encourage Indigenous students to develop connections with their families and communities. They should also teach them how to recognize the value of the land they live on and how it connects with their heritage. This is a powerful way to help Indigenous youth understand their place in the world and how they can contribute to it.
In addition, Indigenous education must support the use of traditional language. It should also incorporate the role of Elders as mentors in education. This is a key part of the reconciliation process and can benefit both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students alike. Elders can offer invaluable insight into cultural values, beliefs, and practices, as well as the impact of colonization on the community.
Lastly, Indigenous pedagogy focuses on critical consciousness and Indigenous sovereignty. It is rooted in the idea that education can be used to create social change and to challenge oppressive policies. In particular, this pedagogy can help students resist the current deficit frameworks that posit that Indigenous people suffer from deficiency.
Indigenous pedagogy is a form of education that teaches students how to think comprehensively and fosters their connection with the higher level of content. It helps them to see dimensions of knowledge that are present all the time but may require some preparation and immersion to reveal themselves.
Knowledge transfer
In Indigenous communities, knowledge transfer is a central aspect of community resilience. This is because Indigenous children and youth learn through everyday interactions with their families and the environment. Knowledge is passed on from generation to generation through storytelling, music and other activities. Indigenous education is also based on a belief in interconnectedness and reciprocity. This means that when one person teaches another, both will gain something from the exchange.
Many of the barriers to learning in Indigenous schools are related to the way knowledge is transferred. Traditional teaching methods are characterized by informality and an emphasis on observing rather than participating in classes. However, the formalization of this informal learning can be problematic for some learners.
The National Urban Native Family Coalition (NUIFC) is working to transform education for urban Indigenous students. The Initiative’s approach is to incorporate traditional Native values, knowledge, and pedagogies into a more holistic approach to education. This approach eliminates stereotypes that non-Indigenous teachers may have about their students and promotes Indigenous ways of knowing in a school setting.
This is important because it allows Indigenous students to see themselves as legitimate scholars. It also provides opportunities for them to participate in STEM fields. For example, the Young Aboriginal STEM Thinkers of South Australia (YASTSA) program connects students with industry and prominent Indigenous people in STEM. This shows students that their path in STEM is a valid pathway.
Lastly, the Initiative encourages a renewed respect for Indigenous languages. This is essential because language is the foundation of culture and is an integral part of cultural identity. In addition, it helps build resilience in the face of adversity. The Initiative’s work is influenced by an advisory board that includes leading scholars in the field of Indigenous education. This group will provide input to help shape the Initiative’s research and writing initiatives.
The Initiative will also support a global network of Indigenous-led projects in areas such as youth leadership, community development, social enterprise and education. The network will share knowledge, identify gaps in the literature and support innovative solutions to improve Indigenous education outcomes.
