Resources for Social and Ecological Justice

1. Emily Grafton & Jêrôme Melançon (2020). Ch 8 The Dynamics of Decolonization & Indigenization in an Era of Academic “Reconciliation” https://na03.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/readinglist/citation/5490888870003476

The reading The Dynamics of Decolonization & Indigenization in an Era of Academic “Reconciliation” talks about how Indianization should empower Indigenous ways of knowing and not disempowering them. For reconciliation, we as settlers need to follow and do as we say, not just say we want to reconcile and not do anything about it. The reading also highlights the need for Indigenous peoples in our schools. The need to welcome elders and communities into the classroom to voice their perspectives on colonization. It also provides them with opportunities to share their ways of knowing and traditions to ensure truth and understanding, instead of allowing misinterpretations. 

2. DiAngelo, R (2016). White Fragility. https://www-jstor-org.libproxy.uregina.ca/stable/45157307?sid=primo&seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents

In the reading White Fragility, it talks about how some white people become uncomfortable with conversations of racism and feel mainly attacked. The reading explains how the topic may be an interruption of what is racially familiar to them and become in distress or uncomfortable, resulting in negative attitudes when discussing racism. I believe this is a great reading to understand why some people may be reluctant to talk about racism and how we, as a society, can overcome white fragility. 

3. Dr. Lee Airton (2019). The Gender-Friendly Classroom. https://www.edcan.ca/articles/gender-friendly-classroom/

I was always unsure of how to facilitate a gender-friendly classroom. This article helps teachers incorporate gender-friendly practices in their everyday teaching. In the article, the author suggests going through books in the classroom and maybe incorporating think-aloud lessons to ask the students questions about the author’s choices. For example, having a book with a boy on the cover like the book The Boy In Striped Pajamas, asking the students, “why did John Boyne (author) choose to use the word boy in the title.” Another suggestion made by the article was having the teacher and students introduce themselves with their proper pronouns, so there is no confusion in the classroom.