Decolonizing and Indigenizing post-secondary education in Canada involves more than adding Indigenous content; it requires a fundamental shift in how knowledge is shared, who is recognized as an expert, and how success is measured. If we are non-Indigenous, it requires understanding that Indigenous-led education must be delivered and or inspired (trained also) by those who possess the knowledge and the wisdom: the Elders, Grandmothers, and Grandfathers, knowledge holders. Not only is this to increase capacity, but also to recognize authenticity and respectful delivery of the teachings.
Below are two authentic examples from Canadian universities.
1. Nursing: “Two-Eyed Seeing”
The University of Calgary integrates the concept of Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing)—combining the strengths of Indigenous ways of knowing with Western medical science.
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Example: Traditional lectures are often replaced by Healing Circles facilitated by Elders. This removes the hierarchy of the podium and creates a culturally safe space for students to discuss health history. Students may collaborate on community-based resources that directly benefit local Indigenous populations, shifting the goal from individual grades to community service. The website Nursing Faculty Indigenous Resources was developed by a Term 3 student group in NURS289, Fall 2021, at the University of Calgary, who wanted to help increase nursing faculty members’ knowledge and awareness of Indigenous peoples’ culture, strengths, and history.
2. Biology: Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)
In biology and environmental science, instructors are moving away from purely laboratory-based learning to land-based pedagogy.
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Example: Queen’s University (BIOL 510) uses Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass to teach the “Biology of Sustainability.” A sharing circle is often used at the start of labs to acknowledge the interconnectedness of all living things, rather than treating specimens as isolated data points.
More Resources
Decolonizing teaching, Indigenizing Learning — Curriculum Bundles - These Curriculum Bundles have been assembled by Indigenous educators from around British Columbia, each focusing on a particular skill, resource, or place, and include:
- important background information for educators
- suggestions for working in respectful ways and with humility
- information on how to acknowledge sources
- how to invite community members in to help with student learning
They provide clear connections to the First Peoples Principles of Learning, as well as curricular connections that consider as many subject areas and grade levels as possible.
Four Directions Teaching-This website includes resources on Indigenous approaches to teaching. There are different resources for different levels and coming from a variety of Indigenous perspectives. Although the Teacher Resource Kit is aimed at grades 1–12, it’s worth taking a look at for ideas and approaches that could be adapted for higher levels of learning.
Learning Resources About First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Across Canada - This site has various resources, such as;
- Integrating Indigenous Pedagogies into Online Learning — Guidance on how to respectfully include Indigenous ways of teaching and learning in online courses. It offers practical examples, thematic insights, and multimedia materials to support educators in creating culturally responsive and inclusive virtual learning environments.
- National Centre for Collaboration in Indigenous Education — Lesson plans, videos, and tips to help teachers include Indigenous knowledge, languages, and land-based learning in the classroom.
Paths to Reconciliation - This interactive site has maps to show the location in Canada of residential schools and unmarked burial sites associated with residential schools.