Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-mkpzs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T16:23:22.107Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Indigenous Pedagogy as a Force for Change

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 July 2015

Soenke Biermann
Affiliation:
School of Arts and Social Sciences, Southern Cross University, Lismore, New South Wales, 2480, Australia
Marcelle Townsend-Cross
Affiliation:
Gnibi, College of Indigenous Australians Peoples, Southern Cross University, Lismore, New South Wales, 2480, Australia
Get access

Abstract

Indigenous academics over the past decade and a half have been focusing strongly, in terms of theory development, on Indigenous epistemologies and research methodologies. What has not been given equal academic attention is the theoretical articulation of Indigenous pedagogy, not only as a valid system of knowledge and skill transfer, but also as one that conveys meaning, values and identity. In this paper, we want to explore some of the practical aspects of Indigenous pedagogy in a tertiary setting by way of a student-teacher dialogue and also discuss the wider implications of a theoretical articulation from our perspective as researchers and academics. We argue that at the intersection of the discourses on transformative pedagogy and Indigenous education in Australia lays an unexplored concept which, properly articulated and implemented, could have great benefits for all learners. Having been afforded attention elsewhere, particularly in North America, it is time to discuss Indigenous pedagogy as a teaching methodology based on Indigenous values and philosophies in Australia today.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Arendt, H. (1998). The human condition (2nd ed.). Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar
Atkinson, J. (2004). Trauma and trauma recovery handbook: Master of Indigenous Studies (Wellbeing). Lismore, QLD: Southern Cross University.Google Scholar
Bassey, M. O. (1999). Western education and political domination in Africa: A study in critical and dialogicalpedagogy. Westport, CT: Bergin & Garvey.Google Scholar
Battiste, M. (2002). indigenous knowledge and pedagogy in First Nations education: A literature review with recommendations. Retrieved 26 June, 2007, from www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/pr/pubArw/ikp_e.pdf.Google Scholar
Bin-Sallik, M. (2003). Cultural safety: Let's name it! Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, 32(1), 2128.Google Scholar
Christie, M. J. (1985). Aboriginal perspectives on experience and learning: The role of language in Aboriginal education. Waurn Ponds, VIC: Deakin University Press.Google Scholar
Creighton, J. (2007). Indigenous world views: Summary (Unpublished assessment item). Lismore, NSW: Southern Cross University Google Scholar
Delbridge, A., & Bernard, J. R. L. (Eds.). (1998). The Macquarie concise dictionary (3rd ed.). North Rhyde, NSW: Macquarie Library Google Scholar
Elias, J. L., & Merriam, S. B. (2005). Philosophical foundations of adult education (3rd ed.). Malabar, FL: Krieger Publishing.Google Scholar
Freire, P. (1996). Pedagogy of the oppressed (Rev. ed, trans. M. Bergman Ramos). London: Penguin Books.Google Scholar
Giroux, H. A. (1997). Pedagogy and the politics of hope: Theory, culture and schooling. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.Google Scholar
Gnibi, College of Indigenous Australian Peoples. (2004). Course review submission: Report submitted to Southern Cross University Academic Board. Lismore, NSW: Southern Cross University.Google Scholar
Greville, H. (2000). Walking the fine line: Transforming literacies for social change. Perth, WA: Gunada Press.Google Scholar
Harris, S. (1984). Culture and learning: Tradition and education in northeastern Arnhem Land. Canberra, ACT: Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies.Google Scholar
Harris, S., & Malin, M. (Eds.). (1994). Aboriginal kids in urban classrooms. Wentworth Falls, NSW: Social Science Press.Google Scholar
Harrison, N. (2004). Indigenous education and the adventure of insight: Learning and teaching in Indigenous classrooms. Flaxton, QLD: Post Pressed.Google Scholar
Hickling-Hudson, A., & Ahlquist, R. (2003). Contesting the curriculum in the schooling of indigenous children in Australia and the United States: From eurocentrism to culturally powerful pedagogies. Comparative Education Review, 47(1), 6490.Google Scholar
Hughes, P., More, A. J., & Williams, M. (2004). Aboriginal ways of learning. Adelaide, SA: Paul Hughes.Google Scholar
Kawagley, O., & Barnhardt, R. (1999). Education Indigenous to place: Western science meets native reality. In Smith, G. A. & Williams, D. R. (Eds.), Ecological education in action: On weaving education, culture and the environment (pp. 117140). Albany, NY: State University of New York Press.Google Scholar
Kincheloe, J. L. (2005). Critical pedagogy primer. New York, NY: Peter Lang.Google Scholar
Lambe, J. (2003). Indigenous education, mainstream education and native studies: Some considerations when incorporating Indigenous pedagogy into native studies. American Indian Quarterly, 27(1/2), 308324.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Little, T. (2007). Indigenous world views: Summary (Unpublished assessment item). Lismore, NSW: Southern Cross University.Google Scholar
Luke, C., & Gore, J. (Eds.). (1992). Feminisms and critical pedagogy. New York, NY: Routledge.Google Scholar
McKay, M. R. (1996). Indigenous pedagogy: Can this concept be successfully implemented in the current curriculum? Retrieved 5 September, 2005, from http://uregina.ca/~mckaymm/ip.html.Google Scholar
McNally, M. D. (2004). Indigenous pedagogy in the classroom: A service model learning for discussion. American Indian Quarterly, 28(3/4), 604617.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McRae, K. (Ed.). (1990). Outdoor and environmental education: Diverse purposes and practices. South Melbourne, VIC: Macmillan.Google Scholar
Moore, B. (Ed.) (2003). The Australian concise Oxford dictionary (4th ed.). South Melbourne, VIC. Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Nakata, M. (1997). The cultural interface: An exploration of the intersection of Western knowledge systems and Torres Strait Islanders positions and experiences. Unpublished PhD thesis, James Cook University, Townsville.Google Scholar
Nakata, M. (2004). Indigenous Australian studies and higher education: 2004 Biennial AIATSIS Wentworth Lecture. Canberra, ACT: Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. Retrieved 24 June, 2007, from http://wwwl.aiatsis.gov.au/exhibitions/wentworth/a352185_a.pdf.Google Scholar
Onions, C. T. (Ed.). (1966). The Oxford dictionary of English etymology. Oxford: Clarendon Press.Google Scholar
Partridge, E. (1966). Origins: A short etymological dictionary of modern English (4th ed.). London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.Google Scholar
Shor, I., & Freire, P. (1987). A pedagogy for liberation: Dialogues on transforming education. South Hadley, MA: Bergin & Garvey.Google Scholar
Smith, G. A., & Williams, D. R. (Eds.). (1999). Ecological education in action: On weaving education, culture and the environment. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press.Google Scholar
Sobel, D. (2004). Place-based education: Connecting classrooms and communities. Great Barington, MA: The Orion Society.Google Scholar
Usher, R., Bryant, I., & Johnston, R. (1996). Adult education and the postmodern challenge: Learning beyond the limits. London: Routledge.Google Scholar
Wei, B., Nayin, D., Rom, Y., Nginingawula, N., & Ngawurranungurumagi, . (Eds.). (1991). Aboriginalpedagogy: Aboriginal teachers speak out. Geelong, VIC: Deakin University Press.Google Scholar
West, E. (1998, April). Speaking towards an Aboriginal philosophy. Paper presented at First Conference on Indigenous Philosophy, ‘Linga Longa’ Philosophy Farm, New South Wales, Australia.Google Scholar