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Braiding Histories

Learning from Aboriginal Peoples’ Experiences and Perspectives

by (author) Susan D. Dion

Publisher
UBC Press
Initial publish date
May 2009
Subjects
Multicultural Education, General
Categories
About indigenous people or experiences
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9780774858489
    Publish Date
    May 2009
    List Price
    $34.95

Library Ordering Options

Description

This book proposes a new pedagogy for addressing Aboriginal subject material, shifting the focus from an essentializing or “othering” exploration of the attributes of Aboriginal peoples to a focus on historical experiences that inform our understanding of contemporary relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples. Reflecting on the process of writing a series of stories, Dion takes up questions of (re)presenting the lived experiences of Aboriginal people in the service of pedagogy. Investigating what happened when the stories were taken up in history classrooms, she illustrates how our investments in particular identities structure how we hear and what we are “willing to know.”

About the author

Contributor Notes

Susan D. Dion is a professor in the Faculty of Education at York University.

Librarian Reviews

Braiding Histories: Learning from Aboriginal Peoples’ Experiences & Perspectives

Aiming to help “cultivate an equitable relationship” between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, Dion stresses Canadians’ lack of awareness of the origins and evolution of historical relationships between these two groups. Dion fosters an understanding of the history of oppressive actions towards Aboriginal peoples exemplified by nation to nation treaties, forced assimilation policy and relocation to reserves, residential schools and the Indian Act. She encourages educators to challenge the stereotypical roles of Aboriginals. Dion attempts to replace negative stereotypes with positive, diverse representations of Aboriginal people.

Dion has Lenape/Potawatami roots and is on the Faculty of Education at York University, Toronto.

Source: The Association of Book Publishers of BC. Canadian Aboriginal Books for Schools. 2009-2010.