Due to fundamentally different worldviews, several difficulties arise when non-First Nations [people] attempt to use Aboriginal Knowledge in research and management decision making. " - ATK Protocol Book
I was so nervous about approaching the Elder, I thought s/he would get mad, or dismiss me, or judge me for what I did not know, that I actually cried before I went to ask them to come to my classroom. Then I realized they are just people, helpful people”. The students in my courses like this teacher are “afraid” of being perceived as ignorant, or racist. They require experiences with “the other” in order to gain cultural competency. They need to develop cultural competency in order to get over the fear. I invite Elders, traditional knowledge keepers, and diverse educators to meet and share their stories with my students. Hearing stories about my work with Elders helps, but so does meeting Elders, and practicing “asking to learn”. These experiential learning practices provide one framework for building cultural competency for my students. " - Shauneen Pete, University of Regina