Understanding how Indigenous and Western Knowledge Systems Differ
Watch: Learning from Indigenous Worldviews (10:20) from the University of British Columbia’s course “Reconciliation through Indigenous Education” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9I2LAWCHNsc
Small group discussion (35 min) – groups of 6
Reflecting on your experience with Western educational systems, consider the following questions:
- What values or beliefs do you think underlie Western approaches?
- What values or beliefs do you observe in Indigenous educational approaches?
- What are the areas where conflicting views arise?
- What are the areas where commonalities can occur?
- What are the benefits, for all students, of integrating Indigenous approaches into curriculum?
Large group discussion (20 min)
- Discuss ways in which you could incorporate Indigenous worldviews in your teaching practice.
- How are you using relational, experiential, student-centered, narrative, intergenerational, land-based, or other pedagogical constructs from Indigenous worldviews in your classrooms?
Note: Refer to chapter 5 – Indigenous epistemologies and pedagogies.
