What is Decolonization?

Decolonization is a concept and process distinct from equity, diversity, inclusion and/or social accountability. This page connects to public writings and videos shared by primarily Indigenous voices to help contextualize decolonization and facilitate shared understanding. All the resources shared external to Western University are offered as points for consideration, not an implied endorsement. We hope this will help all of us to engage with decolonization as a concept and process with more clarity in our work at Schulich.

Defining Decolonization

"A necessary and ongoing process of unlearning, uncovering, and transforming legacies of colonialism, as well as utilizing educational and knowledge systems available to relearn and rebuild the social, cultural, and linguistic foundations that were lost, or eroded through colonialism. Decolonization also requires making space, balancing, generating, and enabling diverse knowledge systems to thrive in the academy as well as in and through educational and knowledge transmission places for Indigenous peoples, the formerly colonized or continuing colonized nations, peoples, and cultural knowledge systems."

— Western's Indigenous Initiatives Memorandum, April 19, 2021, Western University

"It is recognizing, challenging and dismantling systems and structures of oppression that continue to cause harm."

— Adapted from "A Beginner's Guide to Decolonization" by Kevin Lamoureux | TEDxTalks

Glossary of Terms

Decolonization is about 'cultural, psychological, and economic freedom' for Indigenous people with the goal of achieving Indigenous sovereignty -- the right and ability of Indigenous people to practice self-determination over their land, cultures, and political and economic systems (Belfi, E. & Sandiford, N., 2021).

The process of deconstructing colonial ideologies of the superiority and privilege of Western thought and approaches. Decolonization involves valuing and revitalizing Indigenous knowledge and approaches, and rethinking Western biases or assumptions that have impacted Indigenous ways of being (Antoine, Mason, Mason, Palahicky, & Rodriguez de France, 2018).

The process of naturalizing Indigenous knowledge systems and making them evident to transform spaces, places, and hearts. In the context of post-secondary education, this involves bringing Indigenous knowledge and approaches together with Western knowledge systems. It is a deliberate coming together of these two ways of being (Antoine, Mason, Mason, Palahicky, & Rodriguez de France, 2018).

The guiding principle of seeing the strengths of multiple perspectives in an interconnected and respectful way rather than as binaries or opposites. Shared by Mi'kmaq Elder, Albert Marshall, the word Etuaptmumk is a way to see the strengths of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives with one eye and to see the strengths of Western knowledge and perspectives with the other eye; then you learn how to see with both eyes together to benefit all peoples (Antoine, Mason, Mason, Palahicky, & Rodriguez de France, 2018).

Decolonization is not a Metaphor

“Decolonize (a verb) and decolonization (a noun) cannot easily be grafted onto pre-existing discourses/frameworks, even if they are critical, even if they are anti-racist, even if they are justice frameworks…Decolonization is not a swappable term for other things we want to do to improve our societies and schools. Decolonization doesn’t have a synonym.” (Tuck & Yang, 2012).

Decolonizing Health in Canada: A Manitoba First Nation Perspective

A necessary transformational shift in order to improve Indigenous health…Decolonization includes resituating expertise such that Indigenous peoples become experts of their own health experiences, voicing and acting upon health initiatives (Eni, Phillips-Beck, Achan, et al., 2021).

Defining Decolonization in Context

Decolonization addresses the multiple facets of disconnect between healthcare and Indigenous health outcomes, and the root of perpetual inequity itself. It is a process of reclamation of political, cultural, economic and social self-determination, including the re-development of positive individual, familial, community and nation level identities. Decolonization draws on colonial legacies, drawing on the knowledges and practices of pre-colonial, “traditional” times. These efforts require active involvement of Indigenous as well as non-Indigenous peoples (Mundel & Chapman). Decolonization has a revolutionary potential that requires the dismantling of colonialism as the dominant model upon which Canadian society, and healthcare provision, more specifically, operate (Eni, Phillips-Beck, Achan, et al., 2021).

Defining Decolonization

Glossary of Terms

Decolonization is not a Metaphor

Decolonizing Health in Canada: A Manitoba First Nation Perspective

Defining Decolonization in Context

Further Reading

Additional Glossary Terms

Resources

Sources