"Loving Our Traditions and People": Analyzing the Importance of Critical Indigenous Pedagogy in Teacher Education

• In Event: 66.047 - Indigenous Education Reconstructed and Reimagined: Countering "Post-Truths" Through Indigenous Teacher Education

Abstract

The purpose of our paper is to analyze the importance of Critical Indigenous Pedagogy within the teacher education experience of Indigenous Teacher Education candidates. To do so, we qualitatively examine Indigenous teacher candidate journal reflections. All students attend a teacher education program that relies heavily on a social justice framework. In the journals, students draw from their identities and experiences to identify gaps in their training, and propose solutions. Our analysis reveals that Critical Indigenous Pedagogy can serve as a helpful framework for strengthening social justice-based teacher education curricula. As one student wrote, her inspiration for becoming a teacher is rooted in “Loving our traditions and people.” Yet it is clear that university education systems are not set up to nurture that love. We argue that a more robust engagement with Critical Indigenous Pedagogy can help all students more meaningfully engage with a loving and sustaining teaching practice.

Authors

• Michelle M. Jacob, University of Oregon

• Leilani Sabzalian, University of Oregon