Attendance was strong at an engaging and informative panel discussion September 18 on incorporating Indigenous knowledges, content, contexts, and perspectives into courses at Trent University.  Five panelists, who are helping to kick-off a new Indigenous Knowledge & Pedagogies Working Group at the University, provided their views and stories of experience. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Cathy Bruce, director of the Centre for Teaching and Learning and dean of the School of Education at Trent. 

Members of the panel included:

• Shari Beaver, Indigenous student success coordinator, who supports students directly through the First Peoples House of Learning
• Nicole Bell, associate professor in the School of Education and senior Indigenous advisor to education programs at the University
• Chris Furgal, associate professor in Indigenous Studies and renowned researcher in northern communities
• Dawn Lavell-Harvard, director of the First Peoples House of Learning and national consultant on Indigenous women’s issues
• Dan Longboat, associate professor in Indigenous Studies and director of the Indigenous Environmental Studies/Science program.

Panelists responded to questions on infusing Indigenous knowledges authentically into typically non-Indigenous courses, particularly for instructors with varying levels of understanding and experiences themselves. Themes of meaning-making, connecting the mind, heart and hands in learning experiences, learning on and from the land, the importance of listening and positioning ourselves as learners – even when we are teachers, building relationships, community, and enabling collaboration were all underlined by the panelists as wise practices. The panelists recommended authenticity, humility, transparency, honesty, active listening, and reflection as qualities in an instructor that provide a solid basis from where to start the process of infusing Indigenous knowledges, content, and contexts into their courses.

“The main aim of the Indigenous Knowledge & Pedagogies Working Group will be to guide and assist faculty in the design, or review and redesign of courses, and in the creation of new course offerings,” said Professor Bruce. “This panel was a thoughtful way of beginning that process of considering how to incorporate Indigenous knowledges, contexts and perspectives into courses across the academy.” 

Learn about the upcoming Centre for Teaching and Learning events on campus.