Breakout Session 9 - 18th September at 12:25 - 1:05

Aen nistwayr aachimoo: Transformative Leadership Narratives from Four Emerging Indigenous Scholarly Practitioners Navigating Doctoral Studies in Canada

Abstract

Four emerging Indigenous scholarly practitioners and one ally share deeply personal educational leadership narratives of leading with optimism, and collective learning reflections of navigating their respective doctoral studies at Western University (London, Ontario, Canada).

Nicole’s research, Niinwi-kiinwa-kiinwi: The Path to Reconciliation, Decolonization and Pursuing Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing) Pedagogy in a Faith-based Organization, focused on how Etuaptmumk pedagogy and Indigenous mindsets inspired a movement toward reciprocal relationships and learning between a faith-based organization and Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and Elders.

Wayne’s research, Wyi Wah! Mamaskacikiwey Itota: An Integration of Indigenous Culture and Academics at a Manitoba High School, addressed a leadership challenge in the form of an inability for the Indigenous student population at Riverview to keep pace academically with their non-Indigenous peers.

Shelly’s research, Kaykwy Wii Ooshihtaayen Dimayn? What Will You Do Tomorrow? Strengthening Indigenous Leadership Capacity to Impact School Culture and Achievement, centered around a lack of preparation for leaders in schools to effectively incorporate Indigenous leadership approaches to positively impact school culture and impact achievement for Indigenous youth.

Lindy’s research, Mino-bimaadiziwin: ReIndigenizing through Land-Based Learning, focused on the development of meaningful and relevant practices in curriculum, pedagogy, and school-based leadership in response to TRC (2015) Calls to Action 62 and 63.

Biography

Scott Lowrey, Nicole Brouwer, Wayne Davies, Lindy Phelps-Henderson, Shelly Hopper

Dr. Scott Lowrey is a settler Canadian scholarly practitioner, ally, and Assistant Professor (Standing Appointment) with Western University’s Doctor of Education (EdD) program living and learning on the ancestral territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee, and the Mississaugas. Scott was recognized as one of Canada’s Outstanding Principals in 2005.

Nicole Brouwer is of European and Ojibwe heritage. She is a member of Garden River First Nation which is part of the Robinson-Huron Treaty. She is the principal at an urban faith-based private school. Nicole is a Year 3 doctoral candidate in Western University’s EdD program.

Wayne Davies is Red River Metis from Selkirk, Manitoba. He is Director of Student Teaching at the University of Winnipeg where he teaches. Wayne is a Year 3 doctoral candidate in Western University’s EdD program. Wayne was recognized as one of Canada’s Outstanding Principals in 2014.

Lindy Phelps-Henderson is a member of the Manitoba Metis Federation and the Red River homeland. She lives and works in Treaty 3 territory where she presently serves as the Indigenous Language Coordinator for the public-school board as well as the principal of Kaa’Naa’Matay Wiigiiam, a K-12 land based school. Lindy is a Year 3 doctoral candidate in. Western University’s EdD program.

Shelly Hopper is Red River Metis educational leader who has dedicated her career to supporting equitable educational experiences for all. She is currently employed as the Anti-Racist Education Professional Learning Coordinator in partnership with the Community Education Development Association (CEDA), and three urban school divisions in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Shelly is a Year 3 doctoral candidate in Western University’s EdD program.