Leadership Preparation in an Indigenous Institution: Stories About Self-Determination

• In Event: 30.056 - Achieving the Promise for Indigenous Peoples: Research on the Politics of Storytelling

Abstract

For indigenous peoples, the wellbeing of the group is paramount. Our responsibility is to serve our peoples regardless of the context. In order for research on leadership and educational leadership initiatives to lead to the social, economic, and educational transformation of indigenous peoples and communities, indigenous educators who are grounded in indigenous ways of knowing and doing and who have significant community connections need to be central to the conceptualization, conduct, and dissemination of that research. Such is the nature of educational self-determination! This paper will present (a) an overview of an indigenous approach to the preparation of leaders and (b) commentaries by students in a doctoral program about their life experiences; their beliefs about the role of the academy in preparing them for leadership roles; their experiences with the academy; the role that research (both institutional research and their own community research) plays in elevating the educational well being of their people; and their aspirations as future leaders.

Authors

• Wiremu Doherty, Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi

• Nathan Matthews, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi