Implementing Indigenous Education with Technology Education in British Columbia

Abstract

This project begins by outlining why Indigenous education and technology education need to be more closely connected. It begins by exploring a framework which explains the connections between the First People’s Principles of Learning and social constructivism theory. Indigenous education is explored touching on important topics, such as residential school history, reconciliation, racism, and decolonization. This topic leads into exploring Indigenous education, discussing why it is important and the challenges faced by educators when implementing it. The following section explores technology education by defining technology and technological interaction. These topics all come together to explore the intersections between Indigenous education with technology education. It then looks at how technology education can be viewed through a holistic lens by incorporating the self, family, community, land, spirits, and ancestors. Further, it explores generational roles and responsibilities and sacred knowledge and its connections to the classroom/shop.

The projects main focus is the creation of a website where technology education teachers in BC (and elsewhere) can go to find resources and classroom approaches with an Indigenous education focus which can be readily implemented for a technology education shop/classroom. Further, the website offers a template to follow so that educators can also submit their own lessons or projects to be shared with others. The focus is to help technology teachers address the large void often present in the technology education curriculum regarding Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing.