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Introduction to Indigenous Cultural Competency for McMaster Educators: Decolonize

Indigenous Worldviews and the Western University 

Decolonize the Academy

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 

Information Box Group

Questions for Reflection 

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?