Topic 9 – Key Principles for Indigenous Pedagogies

Describe important principles to consider when weaving Indigenous pedagogies into your curriculum. There are many elements to address with regards to access to and permission to use Indigenous knowledge. The First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) in British Columbia formulated a brief guide with the input of Indigenous Elders, scholars and knowledge keepers to articulate First Peoples Principles of Learning. It is important to note that these principles don’t encompass a full approach that might be used within any single First People’s society, but it is meant to be a generalized group of elements common across many First People’s societies.

The principles are detailed below (First Nations Education Steering Committee, n.d.):

• 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.

These principles are detailed in the following videos.

Key Principles for Indigenous Pedagogies – Part 1 (6:03)

Key Principles with Indigenous Pedagogies – Part 2 (6:32)

With regards to working with and supporting Indigenous Peoples, a question often comes up about purchasing goods that may or may not be authentic. It is recommended that when you have the opportunity, research what you are buying and ensure that it is an Indigenous, authentic craft or piece of art. Ask vendors if Indigenous Peoples are benefiting directly from your purchases. Otherwise, you may be supporting non-Indigenous work that may have been copied and appropriated. Many Indigenous Peoples use their craft or artwork as a means of income to support their families. Also, it is important to realize that while you might be able to purchase a replica cheaply, it doesn’t reflect the many hours put into an original piece where the artist should be fairly compensated.

While there are many individual interpretations and a broad statement can’t be made that applies to all, Kat Pasquach, Founder of Culture Shock Bead Co. and Culture Shock Jewelry shares her interpretation of the question “What is the difference between cultural appreciation of an artist’s work vs cultural appropriation for one’s own benefit”? in this short video.

Appropriation vs Appreciation (3:56)

Reference:

First Nations Education Steering Committee. (n.d.). First peoples principles of learning. Retrieved December 17, 2021, from http://www.fnesc.ca/first-peoples-principles-of-learning/