Terminology: Clarifying Indigenization, Decolonization and (Re)conciliation

This article is a part of a series on terminology related to Indigeneity.

Indigenization, decolonization, and (re)conciliation are terms frequently used in academia, as well as in everyday conversations. While the words are connected to one another, they are not synonymous. These concepts each carry unique significance, history, and weight; therefore, their correct usage is imperative.

Below are definitions and clarifications of the terms Indigenization, decolonization, and (re)conciliation in relation to teaching and learning. These sections draw guidance from:

ohpahotân | oohpaahotaan “let’s fly up together” Indigenous Strategy for the University of Saskatchewan

Indigenization, as described in the strategy,

“... involves the respectful, meaningful, ethical weaving of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit knowledges, lived experiences, worldviews, and stories into teaching, learning, and research.” (P. 36).

Therefore, Indigenization is the meaningful and purposeful integration of Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing. While integrating Indigenous content is a common place to start, you are invited to think about the Indigenous ways of knowing that guide your teaching practices and how you enhance your teaching with these knowledges. Reframing teaching to include Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing in the “how” you are teaching alongside “what” you are teaching is necessary for Indigenization in teaching and learning. An example of Indigenization in the classroom looks like utilizing storytelling as a teaching strategy to build relationality and enhance understanding of a concept.

The following definition from the strategy distinguishes decolonization from the other terms by highlighting how,

“Decolonization practices contest divisive and demeaning actions, policies, programming, and frameworks.” (P. 36).

Practically speaking, decolonization is an action that highlights the steps being taken to combat the numerous ways that Indigenous people have been harmed by colonization. Decolonization in practice would examine the discourses surrounding Indigenous Peoples and confront and address the colonial structures that have shaped these discourses. For example, when teaching about colonization and Indigenous Peoples, moving away from using deficit language to strengths-based language gives power to back to Indigenous Peoples and highlights that colonialism is the root of these harms.

The final term, (re)conciliation, is defined as follows:

“As a community, we have a shared responsibility to honour and join in the journey of reconciliation; to repair, redress and heal relationships; and nurture an ethical space in which we can explore how we relate to each other through the lenses of history, culture, and lived experience.” (P. 36)

It is the shared responsibility of rebuilding a relationship in a mutually beneficial way. It is very important that everyone participates in this process. (Re)conciliation means that there is room for everyone at the table and everyone is empowered to contribute. An example of reconciliation in practice looks like intentionally making time to attend community events at to build relationships with and learn from local Indigenous community members. At our University, (re)conciliation is purposely written as such to honour the knowledge and experiences of the kēhtē-ayak (Elders) who guided the creation and gifting of ohpahotân | oohpaahotaan “let’s fly up together” Indigenous Strategy for the University of Saskatchewan. 

Extensively, when (re)conciliation is used, with the “re” in brackets, it is a purposeful message to acknowledge the complex relationship Indigenous Peoples have with the term. Reconciliation is understood as rebuilding a reciprocal relationship again, however historically, Indigenous Peoples and settlers have not always had respectful, reciprocal relationships. Many Indigenous People understand that this relationship was never mutual or harmonious therefore, how would it be possible to rebuild something that was never present to begin with? Furthermore, many feel that we are still in the process of building our relationship in a reciprocal way and our relationship is evolving rather than needing to be reconciled. 

-----

If you would like to further explore the conversation around reconciliation or (re)conciliation please consider the following:

What does reconciliation mean to Indigenous People?, by Angela Sterrit
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/reconciliation-doesn-t-exist-yet-say-indigenous-leaders-1.4963594

Reconciliation or Conciliation?, An Inuit Perspective by John Amagoalik
https://ehprnh2mwo3.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/from-truth-to-reconciliation-transforming-the-legacy-of-residential-schools.pdf

Half-Truths and Whole Lies: Rhetoric in the “Apology” and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, by Roland Chrisjohn and Tanya Wasacase
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/354924243_Response_Responsibility_and_Renewal_Canada'_s_Truth_and_Reconciliation_Journey_Edited_for_the_Aboriginal_Healing_Foundation

---

^{Title image credit: Sally SayAgain on Pixabay.com}

This resource is shared by the Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching and Learning (GMCTL), University of Saskatchewan, under a CC BY-NC-SA license.