Culturally Sustaining and Decolonial Pedagogies: Transforming Indigenous Education Through Community-Driven Research and Educational Reform

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 3:45 pm - Gold 2

Session Type: Roundtable Session

Abstract

This session gathers scholars advancing culturally sustaining and decolonial pedagogies that reshape Indigenous education through community collaboration and reform. Presenters share research on rural schooling, curriculum implementation, literacy, and policy to highlight Indigenous-led innovation within K–12 and higher education. Each paper demonstrates how decolonial frameworks challenge deficit narratives and elevate relational accountability in teaching, learning, and assessment. From the development of Indigenous Studies standards to policy-driven graduation profiles, these works illustrate how educators honor sovereignty through curriculum design and participatory research. Collectively, this roundtable positions culturally sustaining pedagogy as both method and movement—one that nurtures community knowledge, centers Indigenous voices, and advances transformative educational futures grounded in equity, responsibility, and self-determination.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Indigenous Peoples of the Americas

Papers

• Embracing Critical Literacy Epistemology: Honoring Histories through Culturally Sustaining Pedagogies - Isela Almaguer, University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley

• Implementing Indigenous Studies Curriculum Standards: Case Studies of a Complicated Curricular Process - Sage Hatch, University of Oregon

• Navigating the Education of Indigenous Students in Rural Schools: Toward Culturally Responsive Practices Across Educational Levels - Cailen O'Shea, North Dakota State University; Amber M. O'Shea, University of Nebraska - Omaha; Sashay Schettler, Bismark Public Schools; Hollie Mackey, North Dakota State University

• Results of the New Mexico Native American Capstone and Graduation Profile Study: Leveraging Edu-Local Goals and Values - Wendy S Greyeyes, University of New Mexico; Kim Lanoy-Sandoval, Future Focused Education; Lisa Harmon-Martínez, Future Focused Education

Discussant

• Patience Amadu, University of Colorado - Colorado Springs