Education Is Ceremony: A Narrative Collage About Healing Through Educational Research

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 9:00 am Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: Empowerment and Healing in Indigenous Spaces (Table 11)

Abstract

Western-style education, deeply rooted in colonialism (Patel, 2021; Schleck, 2022; Snaza, 2021; Wynter, 2003), must evolve to address urgent socio-political, economic, and environmental issues. To transform education, it's essential to confront and disrupt its colonial roots. Despite the promise of relational inquiries like action research, higher education institutions still inflict harm. This new era of research should prioritize healing, honoring diverse epistemologies, and challenging the neoliberalization of universities (Schleck, 2022). Research, viewed as a ceremonial and spiritual practice (Hughes et al., 2023; Wilson, 2008), holds the potential for healing. Through the concept of "research as ceremony" (Wilson, 2008) and narrative collage, I reflect on my doctoral journey and understanding of wahkohtowin, aiming to dismantle harmful institutional foundations.

Author

• Alexandria Poppendorf, University of Calgary