Proceedings from 10th Annual Decolonizing Conference

Abstract

Humanity continues to seek solutions to global and local challenges as well as advancing knowledge and innovations to enhance wellness. In such endeavors, there is continued misconstruction that interpretation of indigenous knowledge, customs, philosophies, ideologies, solutions and reactions must necessarily be done from an internationally defined arena which has been based on the assumption that internationalism is westernism. In the recent past, there is a growing paradigm shift and ‘detachment’ from this concept. Agitation for recognition of the indigenous concepts, ideas and innovations in enhancing and tackling challenges affecting humanity, whether from developing or developed countries, is like a stone rolling downhill with minimal barriers that must reach its destination. The Annual Decolonizing the Spirit conference examined knowledge production and resistance to colonial and post-colonial domination. This conference brought together scholars, researchers, practitioners, elders, community leaders, community/digital/media activists and artists, and educators to participate in a dialogue on (re)claiming and use of Indigenous pedagogies as tools for response to colonial fragmentations. This three-day conference provided a forum for participants to strengthen and build confidence. It indeed endeavored to address how indigenous knowledge, ideologies, philosophies, mechanisms and customs can be of importance in shaping our destiny and that of the globe.