On its website the Justice Institute recommends the following 10 ways to indigenize the curriculum:
- Acknowledge the local First Nations traditional territory
- Use experiential, and lifelong learning approaches
- Work with Elders and infuse culture into curriculum
- Visit Indigenous communities for field trips, events, and feasts
- Use the oral tradition, telling stories, with guest speakers such as Elders and community leaders
- Incorporate talking circles to facilitate communication (circle methodology)
- Understand Indigenous worldview and respect for Indigenous spiri- tual practices
- Use Indigenous authored texts, articles and books
- Hire Indigenous instructors
- Use Indigenous film
Retrieved from: http://libguides.jibc.ca/c.php?g=409910&p=2792363
Bob Joseph, Gwawaenuk Nation and corporate trainer offers 15 tips and strategies for teachers and school districts:
- Establish a relationship between the Indigenous community(ies) and the school so that they learn from each other.
- Ensure all teachers have a thorough understanding of the residential school system and an understanding of the impact of colonialism.
- Ensure all teachers have read the Executive Summary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
- Include an acknowledgement of the First Nation territory on which the school is located, in the language of the territory over the front door of the school; if the school sits on overlapping territories, include both languages.
- Include Elders and community leaders in teaching the students how to say the welcome in the language.
- Invite an Elder to provide a prayer or song at all school assemblies: Ensure all staff and students are instructed on Elder protocol
- Create school policy that advocates for and supports inclusion of Indigenous students.
- Ensure the library has a broad range of relevant Indigenous books and resources: The resources should reflect the realities and culture of the Indigenous students; Resources should not perpetuate stereotypes or freeze Indigenous Peoples and their culture as being part of “history”.
- Understand that many Indigenous students face racism on a daily basis.
- Develop zero tolerance policies on racism.
- Engage the students at a physical, emotional/mental, intellectual and spiritual level by using a variety of teaching methods.
- Create an environment that is safe for Indigenous students – safe enough for them to share if they have been the target of racism in the school or if troubles at home are impacting their studies.
- Create an environment that is safe for Indigenous students to feel comfortable and proud to share information about their culture and history.
- Create an environment where humour and ‘group talk’ is encouraged, respected and accepted.
- Understand that sometimes family or community issues will take precedence over attending school.
Retrieved from:
https://www.ictinc.ca/blog/15-strategies-for-teachers-of-aboriginal-students