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Reflecting on Chrona's Wayi Wah! Indigenous Pedagogies – An Act for Reconciliation and Anti-Racist Education (2023)

 

                                                           Cover Image (Chrona, 2023)

     Wayi Wah! Indigenous Pedagogies – An Act for Reconciliation and Anti-Racist Education is written by Jo Chrona, an Indigenous educator from the Kitsumkalum (Tsimshian) and Gitsegula (Gitxsan) First Nations on the West Coast of BC.  The book deeply explores important concepts such as how to learn in a good way, knowing we will make mistakes and having the courage to be the discomfort that is needed to start learning about anti-racism.  She explores different aspects of racism, and how to examine our own bias and assumptions.  She skillfully presents a model representing the progression of  “Becoming Anti-Racist in Canada”(p.60) which begins in fear, separation and denial and moves through a learning zone towards an area of growth, advocacy and action. Then she leads us through a deep dive into the First Peoples Principals of Learning (FPPL) developed by the BC First Nations Education Steering Committee(FNESC), showing us how to use these as part of ongoing reflective practice over time to help support our learning journeys towards Reconciliation.  Overall, Chrona provides a clear explanation of the vital importance of anti-racist education rooted in First People’s principals and leadership to promote Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. 


Figure 1: Becoming Anti-Racist in Canada [image] (Chrona, 2023, p.60)

            Examining Chrona’s views on teaching, learning, creativity and innovation through this book, we can see that she views learning as an ongoing process of transformation over time.  There is an acknowledgement that we all make mistakes and that discomfort is part of learning.   Rather than mistakes being considered failure, they are seen as part of the process of learning.  She starts the book with a quote about stories by Ben Okri, quoted in Thomas King, The Truth About Stories (2003),  “One way or another we are living the stories planted in us early or along the way…If we change the stories we live by, quite possibly we change our lives” (p.1).  She starts here with her own story, having us reflect about our own stories, to remind us that our stories are interconnected, constantly evolving, and important.  Fundamentally, her view is that we are all important parts of an interconnected and interdependent community, and together we can change ourselves and the world in a good way.  Teaching and learning is relational.  Creativity and innovation are defined as moving us towards living in a good way, in a way that honors the earth and all our relations. 

    Figure 2: First Peoples Principles of Learning (FPCC, n.d.)

Chrona’s (2023) book is an essential resource for all educators, providing deep analysis and insight which may be helpful for educators everywhere.  Chrona clearly explains local Indigenous informed and well researched best practices for educators relating to Indigenous education and anti-racist education, focusing on the importance of time and self-reflection as we work towards decolonization, Reconciliation and Indigenization of the education system. Chrona’s book is a guidebook for educators on this journey of holistic learning and transformation. 

 References

Chrona, J. (2022) Wayi Wah! Indigenous pedagogies –an act for reconciliation and anti-

    racist education. Portage & Main Press.

Chrona, J. (2022) Wayi Wah! Indigenous pedagogies book 

    cover  [image] https://www.portageandmainpress.com/Books/W/Wayi-Wah!-Indigenous-Pedagogies

First People’s Cultural Council (FPCC)(n.d.) First People’s principles of       

     learning.  https://www.fnesc.ca/first-peoples-principles-of-learning/

First People’s Cultural Council (FPCC)(n.d.) First people’s principles of learning poster. 

    [image] https://www.fnesc.ca/first-peoples-principles-of-learning/


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