Short answer
Designers and educators should actively work to decolonize learning environments by integrating Indigenous knowledge systems and fostering culturally relevant practices that support identity development.
- Field
- Classic Design
- Source
- Digital Commons - DU (University of Denver) (2018)
- Method
- Qualitative research employing Indigenous Storywork principles and arts-based research.
- Sample
- 26 participants
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Educational environments can be redesigned to foster Indigenous identity by integrating Indigenous Storywork principles and Tribal Critical Race Theory (TribalCrit). This classic design research insight is drawn from a 2018 study published in Digital Commons - DU (University of Denver). Using Qualitative research employing indigenous storywork principles and arts-based research. with 26 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers and educators should actively work to decolonize learning environments by integrating Indigenous knowledge systems and fostering culturally relevant practices that support identity development.
Decolonizing Educational Spaces: Reclaiming Indigenous Identity Through Storywork and TribalCrit
Educational environments can be redesigned to foster Indigenous identity by integrating Indigenous Storywork principles and Tribal Critical Race Theory (TribalCrit).
Digital Commons - DU (University of Denver) · 2018
Key Findings
- 01Colonization significantly impacts intergenerational identity, particularly through historical trauma and educational systems.
- 02Decolonizing educational spaces is crucial for empowering Indigenous students.
- 03Integrating Indigenous Storywork and TribalCrit lenses supports Indigenous students in finding their identity, potential, and flow.
- 04A hybrid approach, merging Indigenous and Western knowledge, is a step towards decolonization in academic research and practice.
Application
Design takeaway
Designers and educators should actively work to decolonize learning environments by integrating Indigenous knowledge systems and fostering culturally relevant practices that support identity development.
How to apply
When designing educational programs or spaces for Indigenous communities, prioritize the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge, storytelling, and culturally relevant frameworks.
Project actions
- 01Consider how your design project can incorporate or respect the cultural heritage of its intended users.
- 02Explore narrative and storytelling as methods for understanding user needs and communicating design solutions.
- 03Investigate how existing systems or products might have unintended negative cultural impacts and how to mitigate them.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Utilizes Indigenous research methodologies (Storywork, conversation, arts-based).
- +Focuses on lived experiences of a specific cultural group.
- +Addresses a critical issue of identity and education within a colonial context.
Limitations
It can be challenging to fully decolonize a design process rooted in Western methodologies. Ensuring genuine collaboration and avoiding tokenism are key challenges.
Reliability & validity
The study's validity is strengthened by its use of multiple qualitative data collection and analysis methods and its grounding in the lived experiences of participants. Reliability might be enhanced by further triangulation of findings across a larger, more diverse sample or through member checking.
Think critically
To what extent can Western design methodologies truly be 'decolonized,' and what are the ethical considerations when attempting to integrate Indigenous knowledge systems into design practice?
Design Principles
"Design for cultural affirmation and identity reclamation within educational contexts."
This research highlights how traditional educational structures can inadvertently perpetuate colonial impacts on identity. By decolonizing these spaces, designers can create more empowering and culturally relevant learning experiences that support the holistic development of Indigenous students.
What This Means for Your Design
This study shows that schools can be designed to help Indigenous students feel more connected to their culture and identity by using traditional Indigenous ways of learning and storytelling.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of cultural context in user research or when proposing design solutions that aim to empower marginalized communities.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research by Garcia-Olp (2018) underscores the critical role of decolonizing educational spaces to foster Indigenous identity. By integrating Indigenous Storywork principles and Tribal Critical Race Theory (TribalCrit), educational environments can become empowering settings that support students in finding their identity, potential, and flow. This highlights the importance of designing with cultural sensitivity and actively incorporating diverse knowledge systems to create more inclusive and effective learning experiences.
Source
Digital Commons - DU (University of Denver)
How Colonization Impacts Identity Through the Generations: A Closer Look at Historical Trauma and Education
journal · 2018
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about decolonizing educational spaces: reclaiming indigenous identity through storywork and tribalcrit?
- Designers and educators should actively work to decolonize learning environments by integrating Indigenous knowledge systems and fostering culturally relevant practices that support identity development. Evidence: Digital Commons - DU (University of Denver) (2018).
- Why does "Decolonizing Educational Spaces: Reclaiming Indigenous Identity Through Storywork and TribalCrit" matter for design?
- This research highlights how traditional educational structures can inadvertently perpetuate colonial impacts on identity. By decolonizing these spaces, designers can create more empowering and culturally relevant learning experiences that support the holistic development of Indigenous students.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers and educators should actively work to decolonize learning environments by integrating Indigenous knowledge systems and fostering culturally relevant practices that support identity development.
- What were the main findings?
- Colonization significantly impacts intergenerational identity, particularly through historical trauma and educational systems.. Decolonizing educational spaces is crucial for empowering Indigenous students.. Integrating Indigenous Storywork and TribalCrit lenses supports Indigenous students in finding their identity, potential, and flow.. A hybrid approach, merging Indigenous and Western knowledge, is a step towards decolonization in academic research and practice.
- What research method was used?
- Qualitative research employing Indigenous Storywork principles and arts-based research. with 26 participants.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2018 journal from Digital Commons - DU (University of Denver).
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing educational programs or spaces for Indigenous communities, prioritize the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge, storytelling, and culturally relevant frameworks.
- What are the limitations?
- The study acknowledges that a dissertation cannot be fully decolonized, indicating potential limitations in the complete eradication of Western academic influence.