keep us coming back for more: aboriginal youth speak… a celebration of indigenous knowledge

Keep Us Coming Back for More: Aboriginal Youth Speak…

A Celebration of Indigenous Knowledge

Location-Who I am

Summary“Keep Us Coming Back For More”: Aboriginal

Youth Speak about Indigenous Knowledge and Wholistic Education

• Gain insight into the experiences of Aboriginal youth who were participating in Aboriginal youth organizations in Vancouver, B.C.

Why • Few studies have focused on community based education in

Vancouver urban Aboriginal community. Even less studies

included youth voices on this matter. • Counter pathologizing discourses.

Who• Experts: Ben, Courtenay, Cloudy Days, Leo, Dimicia, Tyrone,

Jimmy, Jerry Adams• Urban Native Youth Association, Knowledgeable Aboriginal

Youth Association, Broadway Youth Resource Centre, Aboriginal Community Policing Centre

Where I am Coming From• Important that research is reciprocal, relevant, responsible &

respectful of Aboriginal communities (Kirkness & Barnhardt, 1991)

• Relational accountability to my family, community, living & spiritual world.

• Value perspectives of non-Indigenous allies

How• Sharing Circle with 8 Aboriginal youth & Elder• Interviews with 6 Aboriginal Youth• Interview with Elder Guide (Jerry Adams)• Key Teachings from Raven (Trickster)• Community Gathering to Honour Youth & Elder

What the Youth Had to Say About IK

• IK is Important!• IK is Wholistic• IK is a Process• IK is Expressed in Multiple Ways

Important Role that Aboriginal Youth Organizations Have in

Education

• “I Keep Coming Back”• Helps Connect with Aboriginal Cultures• Wholistic Education• Some Improvements

Youth Design Their Own Aboriginal Organizations

• Ask Elders• Offer a Wholistic Range of Activities• Connect with the Land• Leadership• Hire Older Youth to Mentor• A Mix of Traditional & Modern Programming

Knowledge Mobilization

Aboriginal Youth Speak…A Celebration of Indigenous Knowledge

Next Steps

• A National Research Conference on Urban Aboriginal Peoples