{"id":29,"date":"2018-06-19T17:50:31","date_gmt":"2018-06-19T17:50:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/indigenizationfrontlineworkers\/?post_type=chapter&p=29"},"modified":"2024-08-19T21:04:50","modified_gmt":"2024-08-19T21:04:50","slug":"decolonization-and-indigenization","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/indigenizationfrontlineworkers\/chapter\/decolonization-and-indigenization\/","title":{"raw":"Decolonization and Indigenization","rendered":"Decolonization and Indigenization"},"content":{"raw":"If we want to contribute to systemic change, we need to understand the concepts of decolonization, Indigenization, and reconciliation.\u00a0<\/strong>\r\n

Decolonization<\/h1>\r\n[pb_glossary id=\"354\"]Decolonization[\/pb_glossary]<\/strong> is the process of deconstructing colonial ideologies of the superiority and privilege of Western thought and approaches. On the one hand, decolonization involves dismantling structures that perpetuate the status quo and addressing unbalanced power dynamics. On the other hand, decolonization involves valuing and revitalizing Indigenous knowledge and approaches and weeding out settler biases or assumptions that have impacted Indigenous ways of being. For non-Indigenous people, decolonization is the process of examining your beliefs about Indigenous Peoples and culture by learning about yourself in relationship to the communities where you live and the people with whom you interact.\r\n\r\nWe work in systems that perpetuate colonial ideals and privilege Western ways of doing. For example, many student services use forms and procedures instead of first initiating relationships with students. This is a colonial process that excludes rather than includes. Also, how libraries catalogue knowledge is Western and colonial.\r\n\r\nDecolonization is an ongoing process that requires all of us to be collectively involved and responsible. Decolonizing our institutions means we create spaces that are inclusive, respectful, and honour Indigenous Peoples.\r\n\r\nThe call for decolonizing education and including Indigenous ways of knowing and being in education was first articulated in 1972 in \u201cIndian control of Indian education\u201d [PDF]<\/a>[footnote]Indian control of Indian education: http:\/\/www.oneca.com\/IndianControlofIndianEducation.pdf[\/footnote] by the National Indian Brotherhood (now the Assembly of First Nations).\r\n\r\n\u201cWe want education to give our children the knowledge to understand and be proud of themselves and the knowledge to understand the world around them.\u201d (p. 1)\r\n

Indigenization<\/h1>\r\n[pb_glossary id=\"357\"]Indigenization[\/pb_glossary]<\/strong> is a collaborative process of naturalizing Indigenous intent, interactions, and processes and making them evident to transform spaces, places, and hearts. In the context of post-secondary education, this involves including Indigenous perspectives and approaches. Indigenization benefits not only Indigenous students but all students, teachers, staff members, and community members involved or impacted by Indigenization.\r\n\r\nIndigenization seeks not only relevant programs and support services but also a fundamental shift in the ways that institutions:\r\n