Annual Conference November 2010

Two conferences will be organized in 2010 and 2011. They are entitledIndigenous Education: Transnational Reflections on Curriculum, Pedagogy, Literacy, Schooling and Teacher Education. The conferences are student-led. The conferences will provide opportunities for scholars, students and policy makers to share their research findings and pedagogical approaches to social justice. Students will have opportunities to develop academic relationships with scholars in other parts of the world.

Indigenous Education, Colonialism, Neo-Liberalism and Resistance: transnational reflections on curriculum, pedagogy, literacy, schooling and teacher education

Sponsored by Committee for Global and Multicentric Education (CGME) and the Department of Sociology
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
November 25-27, 2010
Conference Room A
12666-72nd Avenue
Surrey, British Columbia, Canada V3W 2M8

The themes of the conference will focus on 1) historical, theoretical and pedagogical approaches to learning from and teaching about traditional and modern Indigenous educational foundations; 2) the effects of residential schools, literacy programs and public education on Indigenous students; 3) the hegemonic effects of citizenship/civic laws and education on Indigenous self-conceptions and citizenship rights; 4) inclusion of Indigenous perspectives as part of teacher education programs/curriculum; 5) the bureaucratization of schooling and law; 6) language survival, bilingual education and post-colonial relations and 7) the effects of neo-liberal policies on the ability of public, private, formal, aformal and informal systems of education to provide equitable education to Indigenous students and communities.

We invite elders, scholars, students, activists and teachers to submit their papers, panel ideas, films and projects that explore the multifaceted aspects of Indigenous education and socio-economic relations/structures and how Indigenous communities and nations are (re)produced and (re)constructed in various forms of texts such as school textbooks, popular culture and scientific manuscripts as topics and subjects of knowledge . We encourage submissions of paper and expert panels in adult, academic, technical, elementary, junior, high school and post-secondary education by DATE (TBA) Please email your proposal to Conference@kwantlen.ca.

Other Themes For This Conference Include But Are Not Limited To :

• Adult Education, Literacy and Empowerment: visions and solutions
• Global Relations and Their Effects on Aboriginal Education
• Colonialism, Education and Aboriginal Peoples
• Missionary Schools, Racialization, Class and Gender
• Neo-liberalism, Privatization of Schooling and the Education System
• Neo-Liberalism, Aboriginal Education and State & non-State Agents
• Indigenous Political Movements, Reform and Educational Initiatives
• Rethinking the Role of Intellectuals and “Experts” in Public Policy and in Developing Educational Solutions for Aboriginal Students
• Child-Centered Education, Progressive Education and Their Influences: reflections on traditional forms of education in Aboriginal communities
• Nation-Building, Construction of National Identity and Aboriginality
• Citizenship and Civic Education: the making of the "Indian"
• (Re)Reading “Global”, Human Rights and Peace Education Through Indigenous Lenses
• Inclusive, Multicultural and Anti-racist Education
• Textbooks, Representations and Curriculum
• Pedagogy, Curriculum and Equity
• The Role of Global Civil Society in Aboriginal Educational Reform
• Traditional Knowledge, Indigenous Rights and Education
• The Role of Religion in Educational Reform
• Indigenous Religious Minorities and Education
• Gender, Education and Teaching
• Teaching About the "Natives" and "Indians" or Learning with Indigenous Peoples
• Diaspora, Language and Schooling
• Disability and Schooling
• Special Education
• Adult Education
• Social Movements and Education
• Teachers, Unions and the State
• Teacher Colleges and Teachers’ Training Programs
• IT Education and Science Education
• Indigenous and Philosophy, History, Anthropology and Sociology of Education: past, present and future relationships

Abstract, Paper and Panel Submissions :

An abstract of no more than 300 words must be submitted by March 31, 2010 to Conference@kwantlen.ca. Please include a bio of no more than 50 words with the abstract, stating the name(s) of presenter(s), status (i.e.: student, teacher, researcher, university instructor), institutional association, address, phone contact and email address.

Registration and Fees :

Those interested in participating or presenting at the conference need to register on-line by (DATE TBA). The cost of the conference is $100.00 (Canadian Dollar). Kwantlen Polytechnic University faculty, staff and students with valid student/employee cards are admitted free.

For more information please contact:

Dr. Amir Mirfakhraie –

amir.mirfakhraie@kwantlen.ca