Introduction to Indigenous Cultural Competency for McMaster Educators: Decolonize

After spending some time cultivating your cultural awareness, watch Decolonize the Academy – Understanding the colonial roots of the academy & knowledge (approx. 10 minutes) to learn more about the intersections of culture, history, and the role of the academy in what mik’maq scholar Marie Battiste calls cognitive imperialism.

Note: the video is set to start at 12:56. Please watch until 22:20 - alternatively you can view a  trimmed clip of the video

As you learn about the concepts of settler colonialism and the role of the academy, consider these reflection prompts:

Have you ever considered Indigenous knowledges as an epistemology?
Have you ever considered how the western academy worked against Indigenous epistemologies?
What could an ethical space of engagement look like in the university classroom?

Information Box Group