Decolonizing college education together

Decolonizing and Indigenizing a college is “a long-term project,” said Intercollegiate Ped Day keynote speaker Isabelle Picard during her Jan. 11 talk entitled Toward a Decolonization of College Education.

The Wendat author, lecturer, columnist and ethnologist covered many aspects of decolonizing our educational institutions so that our learning communities are more equitable, inclusive and fair.

For non-Indigenous people, it is important to unlearn and learn, and to accept the fact that Canada was founded on colonialism, she said. There are negative consequences of colonialism and we need to redefine the relationship between the majority society and Indigenous peoples.

“We must build relationships that are authentic, not built on the extraction of knowledge, resources and culture,” she said.

Isabelle shared some terms that need to be retired and explained some terms in current use. First Nations refers to the same peoples as the outdated and inaccurate term “Indian” and does not include Métis or Inuit peoples. She said that Indigenous includes all Indigenous peoples in Canada: First Nations, Métis and Inuit.

Isabelle also shared the principle: “nothing about us without us.” Indigenous people must be at the table, involved in decisions and sitting on hiring committees. This may require loosening rules, especially on the matter of hiring teachers, she said.

At the same time, “it is not only up to Indigenous people to propose ideas,” she cautioned. It can be overwhelming and exhausting to take on this educational role.

Everyone can be involved in learning and engaging students. Rich oral histories and contemporary storytelling can be explored in the Social Sciences. Indigenous-authored books, films and art are already being featured in many English and French literature, Cinema and Visual Arts courses.

Isabelle as well as participants at the talk suggested resources. “Be humble and get educated, listen and understand” were clear calls to action at the end of the talk.

Suggested resources:

• • Dawson College Faculty Hub Decolonizing and Indigenizing Resource Page https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/faculty-hub/resources/decolonizing-and-indigenizing/
  • For teaching support, Kanerahtiio (Tiio) Hemlock is a Pedagogical Counsellor, Indigenous Pedagogy in the Office of Academic Development. Email: themlock@dawsoncollege.qc.ca
  • The First Peoples’ Post-secondary Storytelling Exchange: Over 100 people from First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities told stories of education and learning at school, college, university, in family and on the land. The FPPSE website shares resources and what was learned, including participants’ recommendations for better educational opportunities.
  • Mythes et réalités sur les peuples autochtones: https://www.cdpdj.qc.ca/fr/publications/mythes-et-realites-peuples-autochtones (available in French and English)
  • Guide to being an ally: https://reseaumtlnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Ally_March.pdf
  • Montreal Indigenous Community NETWORK resources: https://reseaumtlnetwork.com/resources/
  • Native Land is a website where you can enter an address and find out which Indigenous people(s) are the landkeepers, which Indigenous language(s) are spoken and which treaties are in place: https://native-land.ca/
  • Wapikoni, produces films with Indigenous young people in Quebec, offers discovery and awareness workshops on First Nations cultures and realities and hosts a collection of their films on their website: https://evenementswapikoni.ca/services-offerts