9.4 Indigenous education and curriculum control

Indigenous education has faced significant challenges due to historical assimilation policies and underfunding. Many communities are now reclaiming control over curriculum and teaching methods to preserve their cultures and languages.

Culturally responsive education incorporates Indigenous knowledge, involves elders as teachers, and integrates traditional practices. This approach aims to strengthen cultural identities while improving academic outcomes for Indigenous students.

Indigenous control of education

• Indigenous communities have long advocated for greater control over their education systems to ensure cultural preservation and self-determination
• Historically, education for Indigenous peoples was often controlled by external authorities (government, religious organizations) with the goal of assimilation
• Indigenous control of education involves the right to make decisions about curriculum, language of instruction, teacher hiring, and school administration

Government policies impacting Indigenous education

Assimilation through education

Top images from around the web for Assimilation through education

• 

  Changing face of Indigenous education | Pursuit by The University of Melbourne View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Assimilation: The Native American Boarding Schools | WISELearn Resources View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Changing face of Indigenous education | Pursuit by The University of Melbourne View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Assimilation: The Native American Boarding Schools | WISELearn Resources View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

Top images from around the web for Assimilation through education

• 

  Changing face of Indigenous education | Pursuit by The University of Melbourne View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Assimilation: The Native American Boarding Schools | WISELearn Resources View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Changing face of Indigenous education | Pursuit by The University of Melbourne View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Assimilation: The Native American Boarding Schools | WISELearn Resources View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

• Many government policies aimed to assimilate Indigenous peoples into the dominant society by forcing them to abandon their languages, cultures, and traditions
• Education was seen as a key tool for assimilation, with Indigenous children often removed from their families and communities to attend schools that discouraged or prohibited their cultural practices
• These policies had devastating impacts on Indigenous communities, leading to loss of language, cultural knowledge, and family ties

Residential school system

• The residential school system was a network of government-funded, church-run schools that operated in Canada and the United States from the late 19th to late 20th centuries
• Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and communities and sent to these schools, where they were prohibited from speaking their languages or practicing their cultures
• Conditions in the schools were often abusive, with students experiencing physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect and poor living conditions
• The legacy of the residential school system continues to impact Indigenous communities today, with intergenerational trauma, language loss, and cultural disconnection

Indigenous language in curriculum

Language preservation efforts

• Many Indigenous communities are working to preserve and revitalize their languages through education
• This includes developing language curriculum, training teachers, and creating immersion programs where students learn entirely in the Indigenous language
• Language preservation is seen as crucial for maintaining cultural identity, transmitting traditional knowledge, and strengthening community ties

Bilingual and immersion programs

• Bilingual programs teach students in both the Indigenous language and the dominant language (English, Spanish), with the goal of developing fluency in both
• Immersion programs teach entirely in the Indigenous language, with the dominant language introduced later as a subject
• These programs have shown success in developing language proficiency and cultural knowledge, as well as improving academic outcomes for Indigenous students

Culturally responsive curriculum

Incorporating Indigenous knowledge

• Culturally responsive curriculum incorporates Indigenous knowledge, values, and ways of learning into the classroom
• This can include traditional stories, songs, and practices, as well as Indigenous perspectives on history, science, and other subjects
• Incorporating Indigenous knowledge helps to validate and celebrate Indigenous cultures, as well as providing a more accurate and complete understanding of the world

Addressing historical inaccuracies

• Many mainstream curricula have historically presented inaccurate or incomplete information about Indigenous peoples and their histories
• Culturally responsive curriculum aims to correct these inaccuracies and present a more balanced and truthful account of the past
• This can include teaching about the impacts of colonization, the contributions of Indigenous peoples, and the ongoing struggles for self-determination and cultural preservation

Indigenous teacher training and recruitment

• Training and hiring more Indigenous teachers is seen as crucial for creating culturally responsive education and providing role models for Indigenous students
• Many teacher education programs now include courses on Indigenous education and culturally responsive teaching practices
• Efforts are also being made to recruit more Indigenous people into the teaching profession, through scholarships, mentorship programs, and alternative certification pathways

Community involvement in education

Elders as teachers

• In many Indigenous communities, elders are respected as knowledge keepers and teachers
• Involving elders in the classroom can help to transmit traditional knowledge, language, and cultural practices to younger generations
• Elders can also provide guidance and support to teachers and students, and help to create a more culturally responsive learning environment

Integration of traditional practices

• Integrating traditional practices into the curriculum can help to make learning more relevant and engaging for Indigenous students
• This can include activities like drumming, singing, storytelling, and land-based learning
• Incorporating traditional practices also helps to validate and celebrate Indigenous cultures, and can promote a sense of pride and connection to community

Challenges in Indigenous education

Underfunding vs mainstream schools

• Indigenous schools and education programs often receive less funding than mainstream schools, leading to disparities in resources, facilities, and staffing
• This underfunding can make it difficult for Indigenous schools to provide high-quality education and support services for their students
• Advocates argue that equitable funding is necessary to address the unique needs and challenges faced by Indigenous students and communities

Accessibility in remote communities

• Many Indigenous communities are located in remote or rural areas, making it difficult for students to access education
• This can include lack of transportation, inadequate school facilities, and limited course offerings
• Efforts are being made to improve access through distance learning, mobile classrooms, and partnerships with post-secondary institutions

Successes and model programs

• Despite the challenges, there are many examples of successful Indigenous education programs and initiatives
• These include language immersion schools, culturally responsive curriculum, and community-based education programs
• These programs have shown success in improving academic outcomes, language proficiency, and cultural knowledge for Indigenous students
• They also serve as models for other communities and education systems looking to create more culturally responsive and effective education for Indigenous peoples

Impact of Indigenous education on cultural identity

• Education plays a crucial role in shaping cultural identity and transmitting cultural knowledge and values
• For Indigenous peoples, education has often been used as a tool of assimilation and cultural suppression
• Reclaiming control over education and creating culturally responsive curriculum is seen as essential for preserving and strengthening Indigenous cultural identities
• Culturally responsive education can help Indigenous students develop a strong sense of pride in their heritage, as well as the skills and knowledge to navigate both their own cultures and the dominant society
• Ultimately, Indigenous education is about more than just academic success - it is about the survival and flourishing of Indigenous cultures and communities for generations to come