Campfire Discussion

“When we walk together in a good way, we learn to see and know the world through two eyes.”

Etuaptmumk, the gift of multiple perspectives in the Mi’kmaw language also known as Two-Eyed Seeing (E/TES), is the guiding principle behind a new course in the Early Childhood Education program at Humber Polytechnic in Toronto. Guided by UNDRIP, the CICAN Indigenous Education Protocol and the TRC including Call to Action #12 that “”calls upon the federal, provincial, territorial, and Aboriginal governments to develop culturally appropriate early childhood education programs for Aboriginal families””, ‘Land-Based Play and Co-Learning through Etuaptmumk/Two-Eyed Seeing’ braids the strengths of Indigenous and non-Indigenous worldviews for the benefit of all, including our eco-kin.

Co-created and co-taught by Indigenous and non-Indigenous faculty, the course takes place within the traditional treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit in the 250-acre Humber Arboretum and is supported by local/regional Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Holders and the broader eco-system at Humber. The course research (conducted through a knowledge research collective we were part of) reveals how Land-based circle pedagogies, storytelling, Indigenous languages and inter-generational teachings through the perspectives of E/TES and co-learning engages spirit, heart, mind and body and supports all learners (students and faculty) to understand and enact their personal and collective responsibilities to Mother Earth, now and for future generations.

Through an interactive reading of our co-authored picture book “Walking Together” (Annick Press, 2023) we will explore the guiding principles of E/TES and how through co-learning, Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators can share working relationships where knowledges co-exist respectfully to transform pedagogy and research in post-secondary education. In the words of Elder Marshall “nature has rights, and we have responsibilities” to protect the Earth as good ancestors. E/TES through action-oriented pedagogies has national and global relevance as we collectively work to restore balance between natural and human worlds, protecting biodiversity and supporting climate action and resilience.