Decolonizing Higher Education: How the Widokodadoda Project Advances Reconciliation at uOttawa

Thanks to support from Professor Vanthuyne, the Wìdòkodàdodà (Building Together) research project, led and directed by Mike Diabo and Mona Tolley, was able to secure a Community-based Research (CBR) Grant. The project aims to engage with the Anishinaabeg Nation to explore how uOttawa can contribute to decolonization and Indigenization processes.

The project was selected for the grant’s Stream 2 research, which is designed to enhance currently funded research projects by better supporting community-based activities in the research process that were not covered by the original funding. The Community Based Research (CBR) grants program is a joint initiative piloted by the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation to strengthen community engagement in research. This initiative advances the uOttawa Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Action Plan for Research and the uOttawa Knowledge Mobilization Strategy.

About the project

In this time of reconciliation, the Widokodadoda project represents innovative social sciences studies at the University of Ottawa. It aims to conduct comprehensive consultations with Anishinaabeg Nation members across their ancestral territories. The research will explore how uOttawa can effectively contribute to decolonization and Indigenization within its institutional framework. This project also aligns with the Faculty of Social Sciences' strategic goal of implementing the Indigenous Action Plan recommendations, which is contributing to the decolonization and Indigenization of the curriculum and education system at the University of Ottawa.

Professor Vanthuyne explains that "this undertaking represents a pivotal facet of our Indigenization efforts, as it underscores the fundamental Anishinaabeg principles of relationality, reciprocity and shared responsibility."

The project will involve co-organizing and co-leading consultations with member communities of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council (AANTC). These consultations will help identify ways of supporting the revitalization of traditional knowledge systems by co-creating an online learning platform.

The team behind the project

Karine Vanthuyne is a professor of anthropology at the School of Sociological and Anthropological Studies. Her research focuses on Indigenous participation in Canada and Guatemala in so-called “transitional justice” and mining development projects, as well as calls for the decolonization of universities. As holder of a Chair in University Teaching since 2020, Professor Vanthuyne leads participatory action research aimed at identifying factors that contribute to the decolonial Indigenization of university curricula. Her engagement in participatory and decolonial research processes sets apart her work in the field of anthropology. Professor Vanthuyne’s work and publications have appeared in prestigious journals, such as the Journal of Latin American and Caribbean Anthropology and the Sage journals. Her work demonstrates the impact of Faculty of Social Sciences' research on addressing colonial injustices within higher education. By engaging directly with Indigenous communities, Professor Vanthuyne’s research contributes to the broader goal of Indigenizing the academy, as called for by scholars and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

Mike Diabo is a seasoned science teacher and outdoor activity leader who excels at connecting Western scientific methods with traditional Anishinaabe wisdom. With over 16 years of experience as a high school science educator, guest lecturer, curriculum consultant and land-based learning facilitator, Mike’s expertise lies in land literacy and in creating educational experiences that blend Western science with Anishinaabe ancestral knowledge.

Mona Tolley is the Senior Indigenous Education Advisor in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ottawa, where she integrates holistic Indigenous knowledge and practices into her work. With over 20 years of experience in education, she is dedicated to advancing the Indigenization of all aspects of education to uplift and inspire youth. Mona serves as a lead Indigenous education advisor and plays a key role in bringing an Anishinabeg perspective to teaching and learning, focusing on the importance of decolonizing education at all levels.

In addition to her work at the University, Mona is an Indigenous education consultant, regularly presenting for teacher professional development and advising school boards. She also develops and teaches post-secondary courses in an Indigenous B.Ed. program and serves as a curriculum writer for the Cree School Board. Through the relationships she nurtures within the University of Ottawa and beyond, Mona remains deeply committed to transforming educational spaces.

Mike and Mona, both members of the Anishinabeg community of Kitigan Zibi, bring unique expertise to the University of Ottawa in the field of Indigenous education. Together, they support the work of the Faculty of Social Sciences’ Decolonization and Indigenization Committee, set up in 2018 by Karine Vanthuyne and colleagues in response to the Calls to Action issued by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

Bridging the gap between theory and practice

Together, they are making the Wìdòkodàdodà a true knowledge mobilization model that aims to identify how the University of Ottawa can contribute to the revitalization of the traditional knowledge systems of the Anishinabeg, guardians of the territory where the institution is located, and thus continue to advance along the path of justice and decolonization. To that end, Mike Diabo and Mona Tolley will continue to consult extensively with members of their nation. These consultations will help establish the protocol of engagement between uOttawa and the Anishinabeg nation member communities, as well as identify ways to support the revitalization of traditional knowledge systems through the co-creation of an online learning platform.

The project’s outcomes have the potential to significantly improve Indigenous students’ access and success in Canadian university programs. It also addresses critical issues of knowledge protection and transmission in today's educational context, highlighting the Faculty’s research contributions to solving both academic and societal challenges.

Explore Professor Vanthuyne's impactful work and learn more about the Faculty of Social Sciences research excellence on Collabzium.