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Doing Indigenous Work: Decolonizing and Transforming the Academy

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  • First Online:
Handbook of Indigenous Education

Abstract

This chapter addresses the strategies for decolonizing, transforming, and creating meaningful spaces for Indigenous Peoples within the structures and practices of the academy and the principal institutions through which the academy works. It draws on insights and kaupapa Māori understandings of the academy and the work to transform these contradictory and challenging spaces. We argue for decolonizing the academy and developing a theory of transformation to conceptualize, initiate, and implement multilayered change. Ultimately, the chapter sees the academy as a space of possibility because it has a powerful role in the control over knowledge. We conclude with a framework and some strategies for thinking about and implementing a model of change.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, Whakatane, New Zealand

    Graham Hingangaroa Smith

  2. The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand

    Linda Tuhiwai Smith

Authors
  1. Graham Hingangaroa Smith
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  2. Linda Tuhiwai Smith
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Graham Hingangaroa Smith .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Melbourne, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Elizabeth Ann McKinley

  2. Office of the Pro-Vice Chancellor Māori, The University of Waikato, Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand

    Linda Tuhiwai Smith

Section Editor information

  1. Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, Whakatane, New Zealand

    Graham Smith

  2. University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

    Melinda Webber

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Smith, G.H., Smith, L.T. (2018). Doing Indigenous Work: Decolonizing and Transforming the Academy. In: McKinley, E., Smith, L. (eds) Handbook of Indigenous Education. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-1839-8_69-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-1839-8_69-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-1839-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-1839-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference EducationReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Education

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