ᓴᑭᐦᐃᑐᐃᐧᐣ (Sakihitowin/Love and Kindness): Practicing an Indigenous Process of Decolonization

Abstract

Western theories of knowledge and research exclude Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing. Such omissions are also prevalent in research regarding Indigenous peoples, as well as, in the study of racial prejudice and identification of effective ways to ameliorate its impacts. In response to the dearth of reliable, trustworthy, culturally appropriate, research concerning the negative impacts of racial prejudice, this article discusses a community-based program in Alberta that was grounded in and used Indigenous theories of knowledge and practices. The learning program was intended to mitigate impacts of racism on Nehiyaw students in grades 7, 8, and 9 through a renewal process termed Kisewatotatowin Kiskisohkemowin. This renewal process revitalized a specific aspect of the Nehiyaw students’ identity, Sakihitowin. To conclude, the article draws on Linda Tuhiwai Smith’s (2012) postcolonial theory. The article argues that the community-based, renewal process depicted a locally informed process of decolonization.