“This One’s for My Family”: A Promising Tool for Growing Indigenous Teachers’ Authentic Literacy Leadership

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 1:45 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 4
  In Roundtable Session: Division K - Section 03: Indigenous Teaching and Teacher Education Roundtable Session 1 (Table 7)

Abstract

This study investigates new teachers’ use of an Indigenous Pedagogy Framework (IPF) (Running Wolf, 2023) with a particular focus on how they engaged the authentic literacy component. Through an analysis of IPF learning plans and interviews, we found that novice teachers utilized a diverse range of literacy activities in their learning plans, reflecting a mix of traditional and contemporary Blackfeet practices. Teachers noted particularly salient concepts that guided their authentic literacy pedagogical decisions, such as: identities, social aims, family (his)stories, and Blackfoot language. Further, teachers showed growth in cultural/literacy leadership over time and they increasingly empowered their young students to be knowledge carriers, utilizing authentic literacy practices at home.

Authors

• Lona Running Wolf, University of Montana

• Kate Brayko, University of Montana - Missoula