Postcolonial University - Dr. M. Battiste

Dr. Marie Battiste, a Mi'kmaq educator from Potlo’tek First Nations, is full professor in the College of Education and Coordinator of the Indian and Northern Education Program within Educational Foundations at the University of Saskatchewan. She is acting director of the Humanities Research Unit at t he University of Saskatchewan. Her historical research of Mi'kmaw literacy and education as a graduate student at Harvard University and later at Stanford University where she received her doctorate degree in curriculum and teacher education provided the foundation for her later writings in cognitive imperialism, linguistic and cultural integrity, and decolonization of Aboriginal education. A recipient of two honorary degrees from St. Mary’s University and from her alma mater University of Maine at Farmington, she has worked actively with First Nations schools and communities as an administrator, teacher, consultant, and curriculum developer, advancing Aboriginal epistemology, languages, pedagogy, and research. Her research interests are in initiating institutional change in the decolonization of education, language and social justice policy and power, and educational approaches that recognize and affirm the political and cultural diversity of Canada and the ethical protection of Indigenous knowledge.

Relevant publications :

M. Battiste & J. Youngblood Henderson, (2000). Protecting Indigenous Knowledge: A Global Challenge. Saskatoon: Purich Press.

M. Battiste & Jean Barman, (Eds.), 1995, First Nations Education in Canada: The Circle Unfolds. Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press.

Battiste, Marie. (2001). Decolonizing the University: Ethical Guidelines for Research Involving Indigenous Populations. In L. M. Findlay and P. M. Bidwell (Eds.), Pursuing Academic Freedom: "Free and Fearless"? ( pp. 190-203). Saskatoon, SK: Purich Press.

M. Battiste, (2000). Maintaining Aboriginal Identity, Languages, and Culture in Modern Society. In Reclaiming Indigenous Voice and Vision. Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, 192-208.

M. Battiste, 1996. Post-colonial Mi'kmaq Language Development Strategies. In S. Léger, (ed.), Towards a Language Agenda: Futurist Outlook on the United Nations. Proceedings of the Second Conference, University of Ottawa, May 1995. Ottawa: Canadian Centre for Linguistic Rights.

M. Battiste, 1987. Developing Cultural Integrity: The Mi'kmawey School Experience. In J. Barman, Y. Hébert & D. McCaskill, (eds.), Native Education in Canada: The Challenge Vol. II. Vancouver: UBC Press, 107-125.

M. Battiste, 1986. Cognitive Assimilation and Micmac Literacy, In J. Barman, Y. Hébert & D. McCaskill, (eds.), Native Education in Canada: The Legacy. Vol. I. Vancouver: UBC Press, 23-44.

Siegfried Wiessner and Marie Battiste, 2000. The 2000 Revision of the United Nations Draft Principles and Guidelines on the Protection of the Heritage of Indigenous People. St. Thomas Law Review 13 (1): 383-390.

M. Battiste, 1998. Enabling the Autumn Seed: Toward a Decolonized
Approach toward Aboriginal Knowledge, Language and Education. Canadian Journal of Native Education , 22(1): 16-27.

M. Battiste, 1977. Cultural Transmission and Survival in Contemporary Micmac Society. Indian Historian, 10(4): pp.2-13.]