Dr. Cher Hill and Dr. Jeannie Kerr, faculty members in the Faculty of Education and dedicated advocates for Indigenous education, have been awarded SFU CEI (Community Engagement Initiative) Awards for their collaborative Indigenous-focused research projects. Dr. Hill’s project, “Beyond the Equity Scan: Catalyzing the Resurgence of Local Indigenous Knowledges, Pre-colonial Pedagogies, and Inclusive Practices within Schools,” and Dr. Kerr's project, “Indigenous Sovereignty in Curriculum,” exemplify their unwavering commitment as non-Indigenous scholars to fostering Indigenous knowledge and responsive educational approaches through community collaborations in the interests of systemic transformation.
Dr. Hill’s project brings together knowledge keepers and educators from q̓ícə̓ y̓ (Katzie) First Nation, teachers from the Surrey School District, and teacher-educators from SFU. Collaborators include Allison Hotti and Cheryl Corrick (Indigenous Helping teachers and SFU Alumna), Paula James (a Senior Indigenous District Language and Culture Facilitator), Elder Rick Bailey from q̓íc̓əy̓ First Nation, and filmmaker and SFU doctoral student Calder Cheverie. Together the group endeavours to disrupt colonial cultures of schooling and address the prevalent issues of racism and inequities within schools. By catalyzing the resurgence of pre-colonial pedagogies and local Indigenous knowledges, this project strives to create culturally responsive and inclusive school environments. “The resurgence of pre-colonial learning and local Indigenous knowledges is paramount to fostering culturally sustaining and inclusive education,” Dr. Hill emphasizes. “Through collaborative visioning, Land-centred learning and pedagogical experimentation, we aim to catalyze a paradigm shift that benefits all members of school communities.”
Dr. Kerr’s project focuses on building community/university partnerships to address inequitable educational outcomes in local elementary schools and daycares serving multiple First Nations in Northern Manitoba. Through collaboration with community-based educational leaders, Misipawistik Cree Elders, university-based researchers, and a Cree Language Keeper, the project aims to deepen and extend research relationships: reclaiming Indigenous knowledge and language within local educational contexts while challenging Eurocentric assumptions within educational structures. “While we acknowledge the importance of culturally appropriate curriculum and pedagogy, our larger goal is the reclamation of Indigenous culture and language in support of Indigenous sovereignty and systemic change,” explains Dr. Kerr. “We believe that true educational transformation surpasses a limited focus on success within existing systems. By challenging the Eurocentric foundations of knowledge practices, structures, and expectations, our project seeks curricular reform rooted in Indigenous culture, language, and knowledge practices.”
Both projects recognize the need for educational experiences that are culturally appropriate, responsive, and centred on local Indigenous knowledges, priorities, and vision. By collaborating with Indigenous communities in fostering systemic change, Dr. Hill and Dr. Kerr’s projects align with the larger goals of promoting inclusivity, equity, and Indigenous sovereignty within educational systems.
The CEI Awards celebrate Dr. Cher Hill’s and Dr. Jeannie Kerr’s visionary Indigenous education projects. Their research exemplifies community engagement, initiative, and a commitment to positive social impact. The awards acknowledge their efforts to create transformative change in education and empower Indigenous communities.
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