Research summary
Indigenization of higher education is the process of infusing Indigenous knowledge and perspective into post-secondary institutions and structures. As Canada Research Chair in Indigenizing Higher Education, Dr. Shelley Johnson aims to develop, implement and assess Indigenization research in higher education among and across disciplines, with and for Indigenous peoples.
She and her research team are teaching and publishing in ways that honour Indigenous oral traditions and methodologies in curriculum development, education, protocols and practices. They are also using qualitative Indigenous research strategies in projects informed by oral traditions and visual story work, sharing circles, Indigenous symbol-based reflection, and art project installations. They aim to fill the critical gap in the literature regarding the roles of faculty and staff unions in the Indigenization of post-secondary institutions in Canada and internationally and provide insights into ways to accomplish this through collective bargaining agreements.