Indigenous knowers and knowledge in university teaching

Abstract

Around the world, university teaching in the 21st century is enriched by the inclusion of Indigenous knowers – students and teachers – and Indigenous knowledges. This chapter introduces Australian Aboriginal epistemologies and pedagogies and shows how they contrast with traditional Western academic knowledge and practices. Key Indigenous concepts such as ‘cultural safety’ and ‘both-ways education’ are explained before practical strategies for bringing authentic Indigenous knowledges into the classroom are explored through case studies and research-based exemplars. Ways to engage productively with Indigenous colleagues are suggested, followed by a brief reflection on Indigenous knowledges and knowers in international tertiary contexts. The authors acknowledge that teaching Indigenous students and/or teaching Indigenous curriculum to students from any background may be daunting for newcomers to the field. Therefore, this chapter offers practical steps towards a respectful and productive engagement with this exciting new dimension to knowledge work – one which will ultimately be richly rewarding for students and teachers alike.