Stories and reflections on gikinawaabi: Recentering Indigenous Knowledge in early childhood development through food- and land-based practices

Abstract

To explore the ways that Indigenous Knowledge can inform the field of early childhood development, the current study examines how cultural traditions and relationships support Indigenous children's well-being. Using a participatory approach and Indigenous methods, the study team, which included Michigan-based researchers, community partners from Indigenous early childhood programs, and Indigenous community members, used PhotoVoice to identify how traditional food- and land-based practices support children's development. Findings, which align with multi-disciplinary research conducted with other Indigenous communities, suggest that traditional practices and relationships are often shared with children through everyday activities. Moreover, these practices and relationships are often shared through food and land-based traditions. Much of what was documented regarding the cultural ways that Indigenous families in Michigan support children's development through culture involved children learning through observing and participating in community and family responsibilities. To learn through observation, translated in Anishinaabemowin as gikinawaabi in the Ojibwe dialect, is a foundational approach to learning in Michigan Indigenous communities. We are now building on this project by using the findings to develop early childhood education curricular components that are locally grounded. The findings are also being used to advocate for appropriate federal policy and legislation for tribal early childhood education programs.