Teaching Indigenous Studies

An Introduction for K–12 Educators

Leilani Sabzalian, Meredith L. McCoy, Helen Thomas

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2026
• Print ISBN:
  9781032739403
• eBook ISBN:
  9781040631171
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: Elementary Education

Challenge colonialism in education and learn ways to incorporate Indigenous studies in your elementary or secondary classroom. This powerful book offers foundational knowledge around the movement for Indigenous studies curriculum in K–12 schools, as well as strategies to support more respectful and responsible teaching of Indigenous studies.

Inside, you will learn about Indigenous pedagogies and how to integrate foundational ideas such as sovereignty, survivance, and relationality into your teaching and curriculum. Through a keywords approach, chapters offer robust conceptual introductions, connections to classroom practice, and a wide array of teaching strategies and resources to help you move your learning into practice.

As you read, you will build strategies to name and disrupt colonialism, recognize and affirm Indigenous identities and knowledges, foster ethical land relations, and identify your roles and responsibilities in relation to decolonization and resurgence.

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Half Title page
• Series Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Cover Artist Bio and Artist Statement
• Acknowledgements
• 1 An Introduction and Guide to Using This Book
• 2 The Historical Context and Movement for Indigenous Studies Curriculum
• 3 Indigenous Pedagogies of Belonging
• 4 An Overview of the Keywords
• 5 Indigenous Futures
• 6 Lands and Waters
• 7 Colonialism and Survivance
• 8 Indigeneity and Relationality
• 9 Sovereignty and Nationhood
• 10 Indigenous Knowledges
• 11 Decolonization and Resurgence
• 12 The Hope and Promise of Indigenous Studies
• Bibliography