Centre for Indigegogy

Indigegogy is a term coined by Stan Wilson, a Cree Elder and Educator. Indigegogy uses Indigenous knowledge, literature and scholarship and is centred on land-based education. Indigegogy engages Indigenous methodology such as circle work to uplift traditional teachings, ceremonies and practices. Indigegogy is a decolonizing practice that builds on the resurgence of Indigenous ways of knowing, teaching and learning.

Anishinaabe re-searcher Dr. Kathy Absolon coined the term “re-search” to describe how Indigenous re-searchers re-theorize and re-create methodologies.

Indigenous knowledge resurgence is being informed by taking a second look at how re-search is grounded. Dr. Absolon consciously adds an emphasis on re with a hyphen as a process of recovery of Kaandossiwin and Indigenous re-search.

Understanding Indigenous methodologies as guided by Indigenous paradigms, worldviews, principles, processes and contexts, Absolon argues that they are wholistic, relational, inter-relational and interdependent with Indigenous philosophies, beliefs and ways of life.

Our Re-Search

We strive towards supporting Mino-Bimaadiziwin (Ojibwe for the "way of a good life"), and Ka’nikonhriyohtshera (Mohawk for "fostering emergence of the good mind") using land-based education, traditional knowledge and teachings.

Through Indigenous-centred, wholistic practice, the Centre for Indigegogy aims to:

• Generate a variety of wholistic development certificate programs for Indigenous and non-indigenous practitioners who are interested in their ongoing learning and wholistic development of their practice.
• Provide exceptional professional development and training experiences in Indigegogy.
• Offer accredited certificates for educators, practitioners and helpers across disciplines.  

The Centre for Indigegogy: Indigenous Centred Wholistic Development provides wholistic practitioners, helpers and educators ongoing learning opportunities that are immersed in indigenous knowledge and best practices. Our goals are wholistic and are as follows:

To honour Waabnoong (Eastern Doorway Spirit) by:

• Attending to the Spirit of Indigenous knowledge, teaching and learning through ceremony.
• Providing wholistic practitioners with ongoing learning opportunities that are guided by Indigenous teaching, learning and healing practices.  

To honour Zhawnoong (Southern Doorway Heart) by:

• Attending to good relations through respectful circle work.
• Fostering "good mind" relationships in honour of the two row wampum teachings.
• Supporting the growth of practitioners' good medicine bundles.   

To honour Niingbaabitoong (Western Doorway Intellect) by:  

• Supporting Indigenous knowledge through land based education, literature, scholarship and practice.
• Fostering the resurgence of Indigenous Knowledge and restoring Indigenous pedagogies in teaching, learning and practice (Indigegogy). 
• Upholding healing and learning through decolonizing, Indigenizing and promoting anti-colonialism in teaching, learning and practice.

To honour Giiwedinoong (Northern Doorway Doing) by:

• Engaging in experiential Indigegogy practices. 
• Fostering transformative learning experiences. 
• Restoring "land consciousness" in our workshops.

To honour Shkode (Centre Fire) by:

• Honouring wholism and trusting that the Centre Fire will once again burn strong and proud.
• Attending to Mino-Bimaadiziwin (in Anishinaabe translates to “a good life”) and Ka’nikonhriyhtshera (in Mohawk translates to “fostering the good mind”).