TITLE:
Indigeneity as a Decolonizing Praxis
AUTHORS:
Corinna Netherton
KEYWORDS:
Decolonization, Indigeneity, Paradigm Shift, Climate Change, Social Justice
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.13 No.3,
March
16,
2026
ABSTRACT: Decolonization must be inclusive of gender and diversity, and of equal importance, is the sustained relationship with the natural world. Indigenous philosophical practices provide a foundation to create a paradigm shift in socio-economic, and political practices. In this way, instilling principles of indigeneity across boundaries can help mitigate climate change. Red pedagogy asserts and premises Indigenous knowledge and praxis in education [1]. This paper expands upon this premise of praxis with the implementation of the ethics that is indigeneity. As a concept, “indigeneity” is a self-defined identity through lived experience [2]. An imbedded belief and values system is a part of one’s self-identity and lived experience. The ethics or principles of indigeneity articulated by 4 r’s: building mutually respectful relationships and renewing and reciprocating those relationships [3] can be centralized as a transformative decolonizing practice not only in education but also in everyday life. Cultural protocols exemplifying Indigenous ethics as a red/critical pedagogy provide a praxis for relationships and negotiations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations. Indigeneity imbedded in cultural protocols can be used to promote good relationships in treaty negotiations. Transboundary relations among government, Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations can be strategic and dynamic partnerships if Indigeneity and philosophical practices are applied as a transformative process in transboundary negotiations. Indigeneity is necessary for a paradigm shift in a vision to support the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, the National Inquiry’s Calls to Justice, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Future generations will inherit the legacy of socio-economic and political decisions of today. A paradigm change can only be accomplished through Indigenous guidance within the Indigenous praxis of indigeneity. This paradigm change can only be accomplished through Indigenous guidance within the praxis of indigeneity. Applying indigeneity as a baseline will be a transformative process to a re-imagined new future. Applying indigeneity as a sustainable ethic will help to alleviate climate change anxiety.