All my relations : a wholistic perspective for decolonization in home economics

Decolonization is a vital factor for educators today, particularly within the field of Home Economics, which centers around connection to environment and self-actualization. Indigenous ways of knowing are being incorporated into Canadian curricula, however many teachers struggle with teaching them appropriately in their own contexts. An exploration of decolonizing teaching practice, this paper explores the use of the Indigenous way of knowing termed “all my relations” as applied to curriculum, pedagogy, and research methodology. Narrative and Indigenous methodologies were employed in an ongoing, reflective study designed to engage all participants in the classroom in contextualized, appropriate learning. “All my relations” as a way of knowing encourages respect and responsibility for human, plant, and animal teachers equally, de-centering the teacher’s voice and western or colonialized power structure and redistributing it among all participants in the classroom. Ongoing and changing with situational perspective and constant reflection, “all my relations” as decolonial practice is a way for settler teachers to respectfully engage with Indigenous ways of knowing meaningfully for learners of all backgrounds and experiences.Education, Faculty ofCurriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department ofUnreviewedGraduat