Making Space in the Garden: Exploring the Experiences of Indigenous Women’s Leadership and Healing

• In Event: Redefining Leadership and Equity in Evolving Educational Spaces

Abstract

Part of a larger study which investigated 15 Black and Indigenous women school leaders in Ontario, the following paper addresses the Indigenous participants. The research team conducted semi-structured virtual interviews with six Indigenous women educational leaders. Each interview was recorded, transcribed, and analyzed through the lens of counter-storytelling informed by tribal critical race theory, Indigenous feminism and critical race theory in education to frame how systems of oppression manifest in the lives of Indigenous school leaders. Drawing on the counter stories and educational expertise of the participants, this paper offers insight on the challenges and success of Indigenous women educational leaders by addressing the impact of the participants’ Indigenous identities, legacies of resistance, and healing processes on their leadership journey.

Authors

• Whitneé L. Garrett-Walker, University of San Francisco

• Jasmine Pham, University of Toronto - OISE

• Nia Spooner, University of Toronto