Think Indigenous is an initiative that seeks to support programs, innovations, and education that focus on Indigenous knowledges. For Nakota/Nehiyaw educator Chris Scribe who is the Executive Director and Founder of Think Indigenous, Indigenous knowledges are an embodiment of life, it’s all levels of understanding relative to the area in which we live. Scribe explains that what is needed now is for Indigenous people to create curriculums based on Indigenous knowledges that can be used within the education system. This week in the mentoring circle, we are inspired to look at education through an Indigenous knowledge lens with wonderful digital resources to Think Indigenous.
Think Indigenous brings together Indigenous thinkers to share innovation that supports schools, communities and children. They emphasize the importance of inviting knowledge keepers into classrooms so that traditional knowledges are valued and honoured. At the same time, they ask leaders in education to make room for Indigenous methods and approaches to learning. Last year, Think Indigenous began the “This Tea Tastes Colonial” series by sitting down with leaders across Turtle Island. In the first episode, they asked leaders about the challenges within Indigenous education, dealing with colonial governments, and the vision they have for education in their respective Nations. Watch below this critical conversation and listen to the perspectives and experiences of Indigenous leaders.
In response to online learning needs, Think Indigenous created a platform for students to continue accessing Indigenous education from home. They invited Indigenous educators, elders and knowledge keepers to share knowledge with students online. Think Indigenous reminds us that school is not the only place where we can learn — the best place to learn Indigenous knowledges is in our stories and in our communities. In the digital lesson below, aimed at Grade 4 students, Chris Scribe talks about storytelling and encourages the viewers to think about their own family and community stories using his grandfather Murdo Scribe’s award-winning children’s book “Murdo’s Story”.
Think Indigenous – Online Indigenous Education also offered the series Lunchtime Decolonization with Indigenous special guests like Neyonawak Inniniwak scholar Alex Wilson and Cree filmmaker Tasha Hubbard. The hosts Chris Scribe and Curtis Vinish interview Indigenous guests about their work, the story of their ancestors, and the importance of reclaiming/practicing their traditions. In an episode of Lunchtime Decolonization, the hosts Chris Scribe and Curtis Vinish interview Mi’kmaw educator Marie Battiste. Watch below Dr. Battiste’s talk about cognitive imperialism, Indigenous knowledges and the humanities, and the decolonization of Indigenous education.
In 2013, Anishinaabe comedian Ryan McMahon from the podcast Red Man Laughing shared the concept of RED Talks to imagine a creative and transformative Indigenous space. One year later, Chris Scribe collaborated with Ryan to bring RED (Revolutionary, Educational, Decolonizing) Talks to life through Think Indigenous. Red Talks offers innovative, inspiring and provocative conversations that provide the tools and resources needed for creating space for Indigenous knowledges within educational institutions. RED Talks 2021 was held as an online event that took place instead of the Annual Think Indigenous International Education Conference with an opening keynote by Cree and Métis from Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation scholar Dr. Verna St. Denis and a closing keynote by Ryan McMahon.