Centre for Teaching Excellence
ResourcesINDIGENIZATION
INDIGENIZATION
Indigenization allows for the opportunity of the academy to include Indigenous knowledge, approaches, views, voices, principles, scholars, and students; thus, imparting Indigenous ways of knowing and history into curricula and physical spaces. Inclusivity of Indigenous pedagogical practices create multi-layered curricula and research that over time is developed and nurtured until Indigenization becomes a vital component of the university. Cultural competence, with regards to Indigenization, is a way in which both Indigenous and non-Indigenous allies can share and learn from open and honest exchanges. Building this general awareness, throughout the university community, can instill a greater sense of community and inclusivity for all.
Decolonization
“Decolonization is the process of deconstructing colonial ideologies of the superiority and privilege of Western thought and approaches. Decolonization involves valuing and revitalizing Indigenous knowledge and approaches and weeding out settler biases or assumptions that have impacted Indigenous ways of being.” (Cull, Hancock, McKeown, Pidgeon, & Verdan, 2018)

DECOLONIZING AND INDIGENIZING RESOURCES
Wanting to learn more about Indigenous Peoples and the Crown/Canada’s History, Allyship and Indigenous Education?
Follow this self-directed 3-month journey with a balance of articles, videos, audios that you can learn from each week.
Weeks 1-2 focus on the history while weeks 3-4 engage with Allyship and Indigenous Education each month.
Month Three
History related resources
Watch: First Nations Pre Contact History
Read/Watch: Our Origins, Our Health
Watch: Canadians have been breaking their promises to Indigenous people
History related resources
Read/Watch: Cultural Safety: Module 1 Peoples Experiences Of Colonization
Watch: Smallpox: 1789 Biological warfare against First Nations
Allyship, anti-racism and Indigenous education related resources
Watch: Cultural Safety in the Classroom: Addressing Anti-Indigenous Racism in Education Settings
Read: “10 Ways to Be a Genuine Ally with Indigenous Communities,” Amnesty International, May 2018.
Read: “We Settlers Face a Choice: Decolonization or White Supremacy,” Dr. Devin Zane Shaw
Allyship, anti-racism and Indigenous education related resources
Read: Critical Racial & Social Justice Education – Robin DiAngelo, PhD
Watch: Settling the context for Indigenous Cultural Safety: Facing Racism in Health
Watch: Racism and Privilege in the Everyday

Month Two

History related resources
WATCH: First Nations History Overview
READ: How a Smallpox Epidemic Forged Modern British Columbia, MacLean’s, Joshua Ostroff, August 1, 2017.
READ: Smallpox Epidemic of 1862 among Northwest Coast and Puget Sound Indians
READ: Secwepem Geographic: Pelltsqwmus: No One Left To Bury The Dead
History related resources
READ and WATCH Meet Verna Kirkness, the Indigenous education hero from Fisher River Cree Nation
READ: CBC The little-known history of Squamish Nation land in Vancouver
WATCH: Dr. Rudy Reimer/Yumks, Indigenous Archaeologist from Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) – Wild Archaeology AND/OR READ The Mountains And Rocks Are Forever: Lithics And Landscapes Of SKWXWÚ7MESH UXWUMIXW file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/fulltext(2).pdf
Allyship, anti-racism and Indigenous education related resources
WATCH: “The Indigenous world view vs. Western world view,” A First Peoples Worldwide Production, 2014. (5:26 mins).
READ: A Guide To Allyship
Allyship, anti-racism and Indigenous education related resources
WATCH: Dr Pam Palmater, Mi’kmaq lawyer, professor and activist: Why do Indigenous topics cause such emotional discomfort? (3:51 mins)
WATCH: Deconstructing White Privilege with Dr. Robin DiAngelo (22:05mins)
WATCH: Dr Pam Palmater, Mi’kmaq lawyer, professor and activist UN Tells Canada to Address Racism (18:52 mins)
READ: 100 ways to Indigenize and decolonize academic programs and courses, Dr. Shauneen Pete Executive Lead: Indigenization University of Regina
Month One
History related resources
READ: Erasing Indigenous Indigeneity in Vancouver Settler Colonialism
WATCH: “Cultural Genocide”: Landmark Report Decries Canada’s Forced Schooling of Indigenous Children
Allyship, anti-racism and Indigenous education related resources
READ: White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible KnapsackPeggy McIntosh
WATCH: Being nice is not going to end racism | Robin DiAngelo
Allyship, anti-racism and Indigenous education related resources
READ: More Than a Checklist: Meaningful Indigenous Inclusion in Higher Education
READ: Indian Control of Indian Education: Reflections and Envisioning the Next 40 Years


First Peoples principles of learning
The First Peoples Principles of Learning was developed by the First Nations Education Steering Committee (www.fnesc.ca) in conjunction with the BC Ministry of Education. The principles reflect common elements and values held by First Nations peoples in BC. However, “[b]ecause these principles of learning represent an attempt to identify common elements in the varied teaching and learning approaches that prevail within particular First Peoples societies, it must be recognized that they do not capture the full reality of the approach used in any single First Peoples society” (British Columbia Ministry of Education and First Nations Education Steering Committee, 2008, p. 11). These principles are embedded throughout the new BC K-12 curriculum.
- Learning ultimately supports the well-being of the self, the family, the community, the land, the spirits, and the ancestors.
- Learning is holistic, reflexive, reflective, experiential, and relational (focused on connectedness, on reciprocal relationships, and a sense of place).
- Learning involves recognizing the consequences of one‘s actions.
- Learning involves generational roles and responsibilities.
- Learning recognizes the role of indigenous knowledge.
- Learning is embedded in memory, history, and story.
- Learning involves patience and time.
- Learning requires exploration of one‘s identity.
- Learning involves recognizing that some knowledge is sacred and only shared with permission and/or in certain situations.
Decolonizing and Indigenizing Curriculum Resources
- A comprehensive list of decolonization and indigenization strategies from the University of Regina 100 Ways to Indigenize and Decolonize Academic Programs and Courses
- Ideas of how to embed indigenous way of knowing and learning into curriculum by Tanaka (2016). Learning and teaching together: Weaving Indigenous ways of knowing into education.
- A manual for decolonization by the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators Whose Land is it Anyway? A Manual for Decolonization (FPSE)
- First Peoples Principles of Learning from the First Nations Steering Committee. The new BC K-12 curriculum has incorporated these principles of learning. First Peoples Principles of Learning (FPPL)
- Teaching Aboriginal higher learners: Professional development workbook from Laura Mixon (2009).
http://www.cardenconsulting.com/uploads/3/2/4/4/3244024/aboriginalteachingworkbook_finalmar09.pdf - A Guide for Indigenization of Post-Secondary Institutions. The series has separate sections on Foundations, Leader and Administrators, Teachers, Front-end Staff, Advisors, and Supervisors, and Curriculum Developers. From BCcampus Indigenization Guides – Pulling Together Series
- Curriculum develop around the Witness blankets by UFV. Specific activities for use in Arts, Health Sciences, Professional Studies, Sciences, Access & Continuing Studies, and Applied Technical Studies. Witness Blanket UFV
Reading List
This reading list is for faculty involved in learning about historical and contemporary issues surrounding Indigenous Peoples in Canada. The quantity of Indigenous books is vast, so this list should not be considered a complete library. Many books in this list have a British Columbia focus, and most are available at the Capilano University Library and in the Vancouver Regional Library system.
All efforts to certify that the recommendations on this list embody authentic Indigenous voices has been made with respect and care. Therefore, titles have been cross-referenced from several sources such as the Vancouver Island Regional Library, Vancouver Public Library, and educators at Capilano University (David Kirk, Indigenous Faculty Advisor, Joel Cardinal, Community Engagement Facilitator, and Kimberly Minkus, Indigenous Learners Librarian).
This reading list contains recommendations of fiction, poetry, young adult, and non-fiction books on various Indigenous topics. Faculty who are Indigenizing their curriculum, hold ctrl + F to help you search for keywords. Themes in this document include, but are not limited to: abuse, alienation, appropriation, Bill C-31, Blood quantum, decolonization, journey, numbered treaties, reconciliation, residential schools, resistance, status, terra nullius, TRC, and Two-Spirit.
Matt Michaud’s 10 recommended books for Educators
Please click here for Top 10 Indigenous Books (Curriculum Focus)
NON-FICTION
Please click here for Indigenous Reading List – Non-Fiction
FICTION
Please click here for Indigenous Reading List – Fiction
POETRY
Please click here for Indigenous Reading List – poetry
YOUNG ADULT
Please click here for Indigenous Reading List – Young Adult
CHIDREN
Please click here for Indigenous Reading List – Children
Please click here to see/download the PDF file for the whole Indigenous Reading List – Centre for Teaching Excellence
Capilano University is named after Chief Joe Capilano, an important leader of the Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh) Nation of the Coast Salish people. We respectfully acknowledge that our campuses are located on the territories of the Lil’wat, Musqueam, Sechelt (shíshálh), Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
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