Creating community in digital learning spaces as embodiment of Indigenous self-determination

• Published in: Journal of Global Indigeneity 2021-01, Vol.5 (1), p.1-15
• Main Author: Neeganagwedgin, Erica
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2651-9585

This paper discusses Indigenous peoples’ educational experiences with digital technologies in Canada, with references made to Australia and the USA. While COVID-19 has intensified many existing inequities and placed strong focus on abilities to exist in online spaces, Indigenous peoples took to the online world and have been carving out sovereign online spaces for a long time. This article focuses on the ways in which Indigenous peoples have engaged in digital spaces. It provides examples of Indigenous models in these virtual learning spaces, discusses how they draw on Indigenous frameworks, and demonstrates how Indigenous approaches to pedagogy are reflected online. One notable example of this is the revitalization of language. Throughout this paper I provide a reflexive account of my own experiences working in post-secondary contexts where engagement with Indigenous pedagogy has been central to online learning experiences. This paper shows that Indigenous pedagogy and approaches are used effectively to enact self-determination in these digital learning spaces.