
Dr. Dustin Louie – Transformative Reconciliation: Practical Approaches to Embodying Reconciliation for Language Coordinators.
In this session we will examine the foundational concepts of reconciliation, decolonization and Indigenization. The progression of this approach starts with understanding the concepts abstractly, then recognizing them in the world, and finally leading the practices for yourself. Using an approach founded in care and collaboration, we will unpack these nuanced concepts that will work towards creating meaningful change in our practice. Given that we approach this work from unique identities and experiences, our goal is to expand the circle to include everyone in our pursuit of reconciliation in diverse fields of teaching and learning.
Biography
Dr. Dustin Louie is a First Nations scholar from Nee Tahi Buhn and Nadleh Whut’en of the Dakelh Nation of central British Columbia. He is a member of the Beaver Clan. Dustin’s education background includes a degree in Canadian history, a master’s degree in international relations, and a PhD in educational research. The topic of Dr. Louie’s doctoral dissertation was Sexual Exploitation Prevention Education for Indigenous Girls. He has worked as an historian in a land claims law firm, studied Indigenous homelessness in Western Canada, worked internationally for non-governmental organizations in Uganda and Australia, and began his academic as an Assistant Professor and then Associate Professor at the Werklund School of Education in the University of Calgary. Dr. Louie is now the Director of NITEP and an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia. He teaches courses related to Indigenous education, social justice, and educational philosophy; works closely with four school districts on decolonizing at the provincial and local level with government and private organizations, researches practical approaches to lndigenizing education, decolonizing education, Indigenous pedagogies, and critical theory. Dr. Louie has published in the top educational journals in Canada on diverse topics in Indigenous education.