Indigenous education refers to the inclusion of indigenous knowledge, models, methods, and content within formal and non-formal educational systems. Often in a post-colonial context, the growing recognition and use of indigenous education methods can be a response to the erosion and loss of indigenous knowledge and language through the processes of colonialism. Furthermore, it can enable indigenous communities to “reclaim and revalue their languages and cultures, and in so doing, improve the educational success of indigenous students.”
Indigenous education would allow for cultural alignment and continuity in individuals. An individual is what he/she is by virtue of his or her background (Culture). It reflects their values in all facet of their life and educational structure. It will put citizens in proper orientation and perspective.
Appropriate education enables indigenous children and adult learners to exercise and enjoy economic, social and cultural rights. It also strengthens their ability to exercise their civil rights so they can influence political policy processes for enhanced protection of their human rights.
Indigenous knowledge is particularly important to modern environmental management in today’s world. Environmental and land management strategies traditionally used by Indigenous peoples have continued relevance. Indigenous cultures usually live in a particular bioregion for many generations and have learned how to live there sustainably. In modern times, this ability often puts truly Indigenous cultures in a unique position of understanding the interrelationships, needs, resources, and dangers of their bioregion. This is not true of Indigenous cultures that have been eroded through colonialism or genocide or that have been displaced.
The promotion of Indigenous methods of education and the inclusion of traditional knowledge also enables those in Western and post-colonial societies to re-evaluate the inherent hierarchy of knowledge systems. Indigenous knowledge systems were historically denigrated by Western educators; however, there is a current shift towards recognizing the value of these traditions. The inclusion of aspects of Indigenous education requires us to acknowledge the existence of multiple forms of knowledge rather than one, standard, benchmark system.
A prime example of how Indigenous methods and content can be used to promote the above outcomes is demonstrated within higher education in Canada. Due to certain jurisdictions’ focus on enhancing academic success for Aboriginal learners and promoting the values of multiculturalism in society, the inclusion of Indigenous methods and content in education is often seen as an important obligation and duty of both governmental and educational authorities.
Many scholars in the field assert that Indigenous education and knowledge has a “transformative power” for Indigenous communities that can be used to foster “empowerment and justice.”The shift to recognizing Indigenous models of education as legitimate forms is therefore important in the ongoing effort for Indigenous rights, on a global scale.
There are a number of elements that characterize Indigenous educational processes. These elements characterize Indigenous education wherever and however it has been expressed. They are like the living stones, which animate and support the expressions of Indigenous education. A sacred view of Nature permeates its foundational process of teaching and learning.
The following are some of the numerous benefits of indigenous learning:
- Integration and interconnectedness are universal traits of its contexts and processes.
- Its processes adhere to the principle of mutual reciprocity between humans and all other things.
- It presents something for everyone to learn, at every stage of life.
- It recognizes the levels of maturity and readiness to learn in the developmental processes of both males and females. This recognition is incorporated into the designs and situations in which Indigenous teaching takes place.
- It recognizes language as a sacred expression of breath and incorporates this orientation in all its foundations.
- It recognizes that each person and each culture contains the seeds that are essential to their well-being and positive development.
- It recognizes that the true sources of knowledge are found within the individual and the entities of Nature.
- It recognizes that true learning occurs through participation and honoring relationships in both the human and natural communities.
- It honors the ebb and flow of learning as it moves through individuals, community, Nature, and the cosmos.
- It recognizes that learning requires letting go, growing, and re-integrating at successively higher levels of understanding.
- Its purpose is to teach a way of life that sustains both the individual and the community.
- It unfolds within an authentic context of community and Nature.
- It uses story as a way to root a perspective that unfolds through the special use of language.
- Story, expressed through experience, myth, parables, and various forms of metaphor is an essential vehicle of Indigenous learning.
- It recognizes the power of thought and language to create the worlds we live in.
- It creates maps of the world that assist us through our life’s journey.
