Weaving Familial Stories: A Conceptual Special Education Framework of Decolonial Praxis

• In Event: Indigenous Presence: Decolonial Pathways in Indigenous Teaching and Teacher Education

Abstract

Both education and special education practices are historically rooted in white, colonial, middle-class, English-speaking norms (Blanchett et al., 2009). Within education, much like society, the unnamed norm is whiteness, creating the present binary further marginalizing students of color (Love & Annamma, 2021). In an effort to address fragmented special education practices, particularly for Indigenous families and families of color, this conceptual framework for strengthening parent participation is grounded in seven principles that center familial stories. Rooted in decolonial thought and adapted from Archibald’s (2008) principles of storywork, the present framework details each component followed by practitioner-based suggestions with the potential to decolonize spaces and praxis, enhance cultural reciprocity, promote transformative education, and strengthen collaboration among special education teams.

Authors

• Rae Lynn Tewa, Arizona State University
  Presenting Author

• Elizabeth A. Ruiz, Arizona State University
  Presenting Author

• Nicole S. Begay, Arizona State University
  Presenting Author