Beginning With Our Original Teachings: Launching Activities With Indigenous Axio-Onto-Epistemologies to Create Conditions for Thriving

• In Event: Liberatory Praxis Through Indigenous Epistemologies, Reconciliation, and Resurgence

Abstract

How lessons begin—“launches”—has implications for learning. To understand a taxonomy of launches within an Indigenous outdoor program, we ask, 1) what axiologies, ontologies, and epistemologies (AOEs) are reflected, and enacted, in the launches of a land-based program that centers Indigenous knowledge systems? 1a) How are Indigenous and western knowledges narrated and engaged? 1b) How are identity, family, and community incorporated? Preliminary findings highlight that launches are sites of enactment for the complexity of Indigenous AOEs when design principles are engaged. Our findings demonstrate how launches can be designed to open up and center Indigenous knowledges as well as foster reciprocity between humans, more-than-humans, lands and waters. This work has implications for
land-based educators committed to resurgence and decolonization.

Authors

• Krystal R. Villanosa, Northwestern University

• Anna Lees, Western Washington University

• Megan Bang, Northwestern University

• Nikki Barry (McDaid), University of California - Los Angeles

• Forrest Bruce, Northwestern University