Mentorship as Resistance: Cultivating Indigenous Leadership in the Face of Historical Injustice

• In Event: Imagining Futures: Themes of Decolonization, Empowerment, and Mentorship within Indigenous Contexts in Education

Abstract

Mentoring Indigenous leaders is crucial for fostering resilience, empowerment, and cultural continuity within Indigenous communities, especially given the 2026 annual meeting theme, Unforgetting Histories and Imagining Futures: Constructing a New Vision for Education Research. This theme prompts us to reflect on the past while envisioning new pathways for future generations. Experienced mentors can cultivate the next generation of Indigenous leaders through guidance and support, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to address modern challenges while honoring traditional practices and values.

Authors

• Margaret J. Maaka, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa

• Huia Tomlins Jahnke, Massey University

• Kekailoa Perry, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

• Kerry Laiana Wong, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa

• Patricia Maringi Gina Johnston-Ak, Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi