Decolonize-Ed.com: A Toolkit for Teaching Indigenous Context in Canada

Abstract

I am working to create a toolkit for teachers and contribute to the body of resources that aim to strengthen the field of teacher education and inclusion of Indigenous voices, students and content. In Canada, there are many teaching professionals who value inclusive Indigenous education, but unfortunately, due to an assortment of factors such as access to resources, funding, and professional development opportunities, they experience anxiety around these subjects, and lack the confidence to fully engage with this material (Brandon, 2002). This toolkit may provide resources that support the inclusion ofIndigenous content, and encourage the ongoing decolonization of our educational system. The first step toward decolonization is to understand colonialism, be exposed to, and stop the denial of Canada’s colonial history, and begin to embrace Indigenous ancestral knowledge (Commanda, 2016). I intend for this toolkit to be flexible, constantly evolving and adapting to the needs of Indigenous communities, pre-service teachers, and instructors. I hope that through beginning these structured dialogues, I can help the educational community to work in collaboration to carve out spaces for Indigenous voices, and advocate for true reconciliation.