Embedding Indigenous Learning Outcomes in a Tourism Curriculum

Much has been written on the need to decolonize universities in terms of governance, hirings of staff and faculty, and creating a safe and supportive place for indigenous students to feel welcome. Part of that effort involves indigenizing university curricula. However, little emphasis has been placed in that context on tourism curricula, particularly in business programs, that make little to no room for reflections about different ways of knowing, being and doing. Indigenous culture is treated pretty much like any other product that should be commercialized for the benefits of an ever expanding demand for “authentic” or even “exotic” tourism experiences. This case documents the work at one Canadian College with a two-year Tourism Diploma that has made considerable progress in embedding a series of learning outcomes developed by a group of indigenous leaders in partnership with College leadership. When successfully accomplished, graduates will indeed leave “as global citizens with an understanding of Indigenous worldviews”