G̱alg̱apoła _Supporting one another (E/SI)
April 24, 2023 | 3:15 pm - 4:15 pm
This session will reflect on best practices exploring the intersection between Indigenization and internationalization through study abroad. Presenters will share their experience of a unique study abroad project that brought together two Indigenous communities across international borders for a community to community exchange. In May 2022, Kwakwaka’wakw students from the Indigenous Language Fluency certificate at North Island College and community members, together with Native Hawaiian faculty, students, and staff from Kapi’olani Community College in Honolulu engaged in a learning exchange in a promise to revitalize the deeply rooted connections established generations ago. The theme areas for the field school focused on Indigenization, decolonization, internationalization and environmental sustainability by drawing on the amazing progress the Hawaiian community has made to revitalize Hawaiian language and culture. Drawing on their respective Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing, the groups shared their culture and language and explored the concept of what it means to be truly Indigenous serving institutions as it applies to supporting the resurgence of the vital connection between Indigenous languages, the land, sea, and wellness as a central theme of the exchange. Knowledge Holders, traditional dancers and singers were invited to take part in the dialogue and cultural exchange. Presenters will share reflections and experiences on re-considering the role of ‘study abroad’ from an Indigenous context in an effort to supporting reconciliation and Indigenous learning in academia and will engage participants in an exploration of the intersect between aspirations to become Indigenous serving and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.