Indigenous Knowledge in Education

The future of education in Canada would look amazing if Indigenous peoples’ vision of education is embraced. Indigenous people would be able to more successfully contain and pass on their knowledge and traditions and have the resources to do so. This would evidently also lead to properly caring for the earth surrounding us, and assisting with the aid of climate change. Learning starts to occur from the moment one is born at birth and continues throughout a lifetime until death. Starblanket stated in Visions of the heart that “Indigenous knowledges are the sources of strength Indigenous children and youth draw upon as they navigate educational challenges” (Starblanket et al., 2020, p. 203) and in which they will take with them throughout their entire lifetime and continue to pass the knowledge throughout on to the continuing generations. Furthermore, Marie Battiste also states that Indigenous knowledge is viewed as “an educational remedy that will empower Aboriginal students”, meaning if Indigenous peoples’ vision of education is embraced, the would change and positively impact Indigenous students and will recognize their culture. Canadians would be able to truly understand Indigenous peoples’ history which would ensure Indigenous culture will be saved and traditionally passed through the future generations of those. I do believe it is great and should be mandatory to include Indigenous-based classes offered in all applicable grade levels to choose from (high school/ middle school), and implement more education on Indigenous peoples’ for elementary students. I personally started taking Indigenous courses in my grade eleven year when an Indigenous course was open to take, which had led to me continuing to further my studies by taking many Indigenous courses throughout my time at the University of Regina. I wish I could have been introduced to the Indigenous culture earlier than I was, but if the Canadian educational system incorporates indigenous peoples’ vision, the education system would benefit greatly.

References:

Battiste, M. (2005). Indigenous Knowledge: Foundations for first nations. WINHEC: International Journal of Indiegnous Education Schorlarhip, (1), 1-17.

Starblanket, G., Long, D. A., & Dickason, O. P. (Eds.). (2020). Visions of the Heart: Involving Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Oxford University Press. (p.1-256).