6 Ways to Use Indigenous Pedagogies in Your Classroom

Incorporating Indigenous pedagogies into the Western education system is an important step toward creating a more inclusive and respectful learning environment for all learners. Indigenous pedagogies are teaching methods that come from Indigenous cultures and traditions. These pedagogical approaches emphasize community, relationships, and learning from the land. In this post, we’ll explore some ideas for bringing these valuable approaches into the classroom.

Understanding Indigenous Pedagogies and Using Them with Learners

Before we dive into how to incorporate Indigenous pedagogies, it’s important to understand what they are. Indigenous pedagogies are based on the ways Indigenous people have been teaching and learning for thousands of years. They focus on storytelling, hands-on learning, and learning through experience. They also value respect for the land, community, and the wisdom of Elders.

Incorporating Indigenous pedagogies in your classroom is an inclusive and respectful act for Indigenous learners that equally benefits non-Indigenous learners. Learning that occurs through different pedagogical approaches helps learners discover more about themselves and others while fostering understanding and cultural competence.

Whenever we use Indigenous pedagogies in the classroom, we want to explicitly tell learners what’s happening and why. Let them know you’re trying an Indigenous approach to learning, why it’s important to you, and how it can benefit them. You may want to learn more about the concept of Etuaptmumk, or Two-Eyed Seeing, so you can explain to learners how using the strengths of both Western and Indigenous cultures can create a better future for everyone.

Are you ready to start incorporating Indigenous pedagogies into your teaching practice? Keep reading for some ideas to get started.

1. Storytelling

Storytelling is a powerful tool in Indigenous teaching. Stories share knowledge, history, and morals. They can make learning more engaging and help learners understand complex ideas in a simpler and more accessible way.

How to incorporate it:

• Use stories to introduce new topics. For example, if you’re teaching about animals, you might start with an Indigenous story about a specific animal.
• Invite Indigenous Elders or storytellers to share their stories with your class. Make sure you follow the correct cultural Protocols when inviting Elders and Knowledge Keepers to join your class. If you need help connecting with Elders and learning these Protocols, consider reaching out to your local Friendship Centre for help.
• Encourage learners to tell their own stories related to what they’re learning. Focus more on the knowledge they’re sharing and less on adhering to a rigid Western story structure.
• Celebrate Indigenous Storytelling Month. Read our previous blog post for additional ways you can integrate storytelling into your teaching.

2. Learning from the Land

Indigenous cultures have a deep connection to the land. Nature is a great educator, and we can learn many lessons from the world around us.

How to incorporate it:

• Take your learners outside whenever possible. You can study plants, animals, and weather patterns in your local area.
• Start a school garden where learners can explore plant growth and the importance of taking care of the environment.
• Teach learners about local Indigenous plants and their uses.
• The land is deeply connected to Indigenous language and culture. Try learning some Indigenous languages with your learners and inviting Elders and Knowledge Keepers to share their knowledge about the land you and your learners occupy.

3. Community and Relationships

In Indigenous cultures, learning is a communal activity. It’s about building relationships and working together.

How to incorporate it:

• Create group projects where learners can work together and learn from each other.
• Encourage learners to share their ideas and listen to others. This helps build a sense of community in the classroom.
• Connect with local Indigenous communities and invite them to be a part of your school activities. This can include having guest speakers, attending community events, or collaborating on projects. 

4. Elders as Teachers

Elders hold a special place in Indigenous cultures as keepers of knowledge and traditions. They have a lot of wisdom to share and are respected as important teachers.

How to incorporate it:

• Invite Elders to your classroom to share their knowledge and experiences of traditions, history, and cultural practices.
• Organize field trips to local Indigenous cultural centers where learners can learn from Elders and community members.
• Encourage learners to interview older family members or seniors in their communities and share their learning with the class.

5. Hands-On Learning

Indigenous pedagogies emphasize learning by doing. Hands-on activities help learners understand and remember what they learn better than just reading or listening. Learners are often invited to observe how something is done and then encouraged to try it when they feel ready. Try to keep your intervention in the learning process minimal!

How to incorporate it:

• Include more projects and activities that require learners to create, build, and experiment.
• Use art, music, and crafts to teach different subjects. For example, learners can create art pieces representing different parts of a story or a science concept.
• Plan activities that involve traditional Indigenous skills, like weaving, beadwork, or cooking traditional foods. These activities are also great ways to connect with your local Indigenous community.

6. Respect for All Beings

Indigenous teachings emphasize respect for all living things, including plants, animals, and people. This can help create a more compassionate and understanding classroom.

How to incorporate it:

• Teach learners about the importance of respecting nature and each other.
• Encourage practices that show respect, such as thanking the earth for its resources and being kind to their peers.
• Discuss the concept of interconnectedness – how all living things are connected and how our actions affect others.

Conclusion

Incorporating Indigenous pedagogies into the Western education system enriches the learning experience for all learners. It fosters a more inclusive and holistic education system, and it teaches respect, community, and a deep connection to the world around us. If you’re just beginning to include Indigenous pedagogies into your teaching practice, understand that it will take time for you and your learners to get comfortable with this change. Make gradual changes together, explore the world through a new lens, and make some new connections in your community along the way.