{"id":21,"date":"2024-07-08T16:26:42","date_gmt":"2024-07-08T20:26:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/opentextbooks.concordia.ca\/ta-guide\/?post_type=front-matter&#038;p=21"},"modified":"2025-07-21T13:53:53","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T17:53:53","slug":"acknowledgements","status":"publish","type":"front-matter","link":"https:\/\/opentextbooks.concordia.ca\/ta-guide\/front-matter\/acknowledgements\/","title":{"raw":"Acknowledgements","rendered":"Acknowledgements"},"content":{"raw":"This guidebook is a collaborative effort by members of Concordia's Centre for Teaching and Learning, including Josephine Guan, Naj Sumar, Carole Brazeau, Alicia Cundell, and Ariel Harlap. We extend our gratitude to our departmental and faculty collaborators for their valuable contributions to the content. Special thanks to Rachel Harris for her assistance with Pressbooks publishing.\r\n<h2>Land acknowledgement<\/h2>\r\nConcordia published its first version of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.concordia.ca\/indigenous\/action-plan.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indigenous Actions Plan<\/a> in 2019. The plan was envisioned as a guide and tool to enable all Concordians to move the university towards a more equitable and inclusive future where Indigenous peoples, knowledges, research and scholarship are prioritized and celebrated. It was created in part to respond to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca\/eng\/1450124405592\/1529106060525\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2015 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).<\/a>\r\n\r\nWith this <a href=\"http:\/\/chrome-extension\/\/efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj\/https:\/\/www.concordia.ca\/content\/dam\/concordia\/offices\/idlc\/docs\/indigenous-directions-action-plan-2021.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">living document<\/a>, Concordia has committed to taking steps towards [pb_glossary id=\"137\"]Decolonizing[\/pb_glossary] and [pb_glossary id=\"138\"]Indigenizing[\/pb_glossary] curricula and [pb_glossary id=\"140\"]pedagogy[\/pb_glossary].\u00a0 This means considering other systems of knowledge, perspectives, worldviews and ways of learning within curricula and pedagogy. This does not mean excluding, dismissing or replacing existing knowledge systems.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_354\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1024\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-354\" src=\"http:\/\/opentextbooks.concordia.ca\/ta-guide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/67\/2024\/07\/parker-hilton-oQXFZdywaxg-unsplash-1-1-1024x429-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up view of dramatic shadows on surface waves of the Kaniatarowanenneh (St. Lawrence seaway) running through Tiothi\u00e1:ke (Montreal).\" width=\"1024\" height=\"429\" \/> Photo by Parker Hilton via Unsplash[\/caption]\r\n\r\nMany other universities across Canada <a href=\"http:\/\/chrome-extension\/\/efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj\/https:\/\/www.univcan.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/UC-2023-Survey-Indigenous-Education-Reconciliation-EN.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">have launched and implemented similar plans<\/a>, but Concordia is unique in the fact that we have a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.concordia.ca\/ctl\/decolonization\/plan.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">specific plan for teaching and learning.<\/a> This strategy and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.concordia.ca\/ctl\/decolonization.html\">Office of Decolonizing and Indigenizing the Curriculum and Pedagogy<\/a> serve to guide the learning community at Concordia with:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>acknowledging historical context,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>ensuring cultural sensitivity and respect,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>incorporating Indigenous knowledge,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>establishing meaningful partnerships with Indigenous communities,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>critically examining [pb_glossary id=\"139\"]Eurocentric canons of thought[\/pb_glossary],<\/li>\r\n \t<li>and integrating research and curriculum resources authored by Indigenous scholars.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1353\"]<img src=\"https:\/\/www.concordia.ca\/content\/concordia\/en\/ctl\/decolonization\/_jcr_content\/content-main\/grid_container_102693014\/grid-container-parsys\/image.img.png\/1743711290243.png\" alt=\"Image of evergreen trees overlaying a wampum belt.\" width=\"1353\" height=\"408\" \/> Graphic by eConcordia, image of Wampum belt: Nativemedia, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Common[\/caption]\r\n\r\nAs a way to move beyond a land acknowledgement, teaching assistants can reflect on their [pb_glossary id=\"141\"]positionality[\/pb_glossary] in and out of the classroom, and invite their students to do the same. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.concordia.ca\/ctl\/decolonization.html\">Office of Decolonizing and Indigenizing Curriculum and Pedagogy<\/a> with eConcordia have developed a series of online modules for Concordia staff and students to learn about the History and Resiliency of the Rotinonhsi\u00f3n:ni (Haudenosaunee) Confederacy. The modules serve as educational primers for Concordia community to access and learn about the Rotinonhnsi\u00f3n:ni people at their own pace. To access the modules, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.concordia.ca\/ctl\/decolonization.html#:~:text=History%2C%20Resiliency%2C%20and%20Continuance%20of%20Rotinonhsi%C3%B3n%3Ani%20Confederacy\">click here.<\/a> You will be asked to identify whether your role is Employee or Student.","rendered":"<p>This guidebook is a collaborative effort by members of Concordia&#8217;s Centre for Teaching and Learning, including Josephine Guan, Naj Sumar, Carole Brazeau, Alicia Cundell, and Ariel Harlap. We extend our gratitude to our departmental and faculty collaborators for their valuable contributions to the content. Special thanks to Rachel Harris for her assistance with Pressbooks publishing.<\/p>\n<h2>Land acknowledgement<\/h2>\n<p>Concordia published its first version of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.concordia.ca\/indigenous\/action-plan.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indigenous Actions Plan<\/a> in 2019. The plan was envisioned as a guide and tool to enable all Concordians to move the university towards a more equitable and inclusive future where Indigenous peoples, knowledges, research and scholarship are prioritized and celebrated. It was created in part to respond to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca\/eng\/1450124405592\/1529106060525\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2015 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).<\/a><\/p>\n<p>With this <a href=\"http:\/\/chrome-extension\/\/efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj\/https:\/\/www.concordia.ca\/content\/dam\/concordia\/offices\/idlc\/docs\/indigenous-directions-action-plan-2021.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">living document<\/a>, Concordia has committed to taking steps towards <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_21_137\">Decolonizing<\/a> and <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_21_138\">Indigenizing<\/a> curricula and <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_21_140\">pedagogy<\/a>.\u00a0 This means considering other systems of knowledge, perspectives, worldviews and ways of learning within curricula and pedagogy. This does not mean excluding, dismissing or replacing existing knowledge systems.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_354\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-354\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-354\" src=\"http:\/\/opentextbooks.concordia.ca\/ta-guide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/67\/2024\/07\/parker-hilton-oQXFZdywaxg-unsplash-1-1-1024x429-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up view of dramatic shadows on surface waves of the Kaniatarowanenneh (St. Lawrence seaway) running through Tiothi\u00e1:ke (Montreal).\" width=\"1024\" height=\"429\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-354\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Parker Hilton via Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Many other universities across Canada <a href=\"http:\/\/chrome-extension\/\/efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj\/https:\/\/www.univcan.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/UC-2023-Survey-Indigenous-Education-Reconciliation-EN.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">have launched and implemented similar plans<\/a>, but Concordia is unique in the fact that we have a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.concordia.ca\/ctl\/decolonization\/plan.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">specific plan for teaching and learning.<\/a> This strategy and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.concordia.ca\/ctl\/decolonization.html\">Office of Decolonizing and Indigenizing the Curriculum and Pedagogy<\/a> serve to guide the learning community at Concordia with:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>acknowledging historical context,<\/li>\n<li>ensuring cultural sensitivity and respect,<\/li>\n<li>incorporating Indigenous knowledge,<\/li>\n<li>establishing meaningful partnerships with Indigenous communities,<\/li>\n<li>critically examining <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_21_139\">Eurocentric canons of thought<\/a>,<\/li>\n<li>and integrating research and curriculum resources authored by Indigenous scholars.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure style=\"width: 1353px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.concordia.ca\/content\/concordia\/en\/ctl\/decolonization\/_jcr_content\/content-main\/grid_container_102693014\/grid-container-parsys\/image.img.png\/1743711290243.png\" alt=\"Image of evergreen trees overlaying a wampum belt.\" width=\"1353\" height=\"408\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Graphic by eConcordia, image of Wampum belt: Nativemedia, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Common<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>As a way to move beyond a land acknowledgement, teaching assistants can reflect on their <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_21_141\">positionality<\/a> in and out of the classroom, and invite their students to do the same. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.concordia.ca\/ctl\/decolonization.html\">Office of Decolonizing and Indigenizing Curriculum and Pedagogy<\/a> with eConcordia have developed a series of online modules for Concordia staff and students to learn about the History and Resiliency of the Rotinonhsi\u00f3n:ni (Haudenosaunee) Confederacy. The modules serve as educational primers for Concordia community to access and learn about the Rotinonhnsi\u00f3n:ni people at their own pace. To access the modules, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.concordia.ca\/ctl\/decolonization.html#:~:text=History%2C%20Resiliency%2C%20and%20Continuance%20of%20Rotinonhsi%C3%B3n%3Ani%20Confederacy\">click here.<\/a> You will be asked to identify whether your role is Employee or Student.<\/p>\n<div class=\"glossary\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\" id=\"definition\">definition<\/span><template id=\"term_21_137\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_21_137\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>Decolonization is \"the intelligent, calculated, and active resistance to the forces of colonialism that perpetuate the subjugation and\/or exploitation of our minds, bodies and lands \u2013 it is engaged for the ultimate purpose of overturning the colonial structure and realizing Indigenous peoples\u2019 liberation\"(Wilson &amp; Yellow Bird, 2005).<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_21_138\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_21_138\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>Indigenization is an ongoing process that involves integrating Indigenous perspectives, knowledge, and practices into various aspects of the university, fostering a more respectful and collaborative relationship with Indigenous communities.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_21_140\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_21_140\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>The approaches and activities of teaching. <\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_21_139\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_21_139\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>Refers to work that historically has prioritized and valorized European perspectives, often at the expense of non-European perspectives, thus perpetuating an uneven and narrow understanding of the world and its history. <\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_21_141\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_21_141\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>Positionality refers to where one is located in relation to their various social identities (gender, race, class, ethnicity, ability, geographical location etc.)\u2014 the combination of these identities and their intersections shape how we understand and engage with the world, including our knowledges, perspectives, and teaching practices. As individuals and as instructors, we occupy multiple identities that are fluid and dialogical in nature, contextually situated, and continuously amended and reproduced (Alcoff, 1988).<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><\/div>","protected":false},"author":79,"menu_order":2,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"front-matter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-21","front-matter","type-front-matter","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbooks.concordia.ca\/ta-guide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/front-matter\/21","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbooks.concordia.ca\/ta-guide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/front-matter"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbooks.concordia.ca\/ta-guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/front-matter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbooks.concordia.ca\/ta-guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/79"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbooks.concordia.ca\/ta-guide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/front-matter\/21\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":379,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbooks.concordia.ca\/ta-guide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/front-matter\/21\/revisions\/379"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbooks.concordia.ca\/ta-guide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/front-matter\/21\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbooks.concordia.ca\/ta-guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"front-matter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbooks.concordia.ca\/ta-guide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/front-matter-type?post=21"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbooks.concordia.ca\/ta-guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=21"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbooks.concordia.ca\/ta-guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=21"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}