Research summary
Recent studies have shown that integrating land-based programming into Western education models benefits Indigenous peoples’ mental and physical health and results in positive learning outcomes for students. As Canada Research Chair in Indigegogy, Dr. Melissa Twance aims to add to the body of research on land education and draw on arts-informed research to support the development of Indigenous teaching methods and practices (pedagogies).
She and her research team are using an applied, community-engaged approach to investigate the transformative potential of resurgent land-based practices. They are also making use of arts-based methods to explore the intersection between Indigenous pedagogy and Indigenous creative practices. In addition, Twance and her team are documenting, curating and exhibiting Indigenous story-works and creative outputs that consider how to develop and maintain good relations with land and each other. Ultimately, Twance’s research could redefine education by incorporating Indigenous theories of knowledge (epistemologies) and worldviews.