“Curriculum didn’t arrive on a boat, pedagogy didn’t arrive on a boat—it was always here.” (Professor Lester-Irabinna Rigney, 2015).

Many of us have been exposed to colonial Western learning systems, methods, structures, and pedagogies that are often seen as the ‘neutral’ or ‘default’ way to create and hold space for learning. But these containers are built on cultural assumptions about knowledge, identity, and practice that are not universally shared. As coaches and trainers, we have a responsibility to design and deliver curriculum and pedagogy that connects with everyone who comes to learn, not just those accustomed to the dominant model. For these experiences to be deeply meaningful and relevant, we must first recognize that communities around the world have shared knowledge in diverse ways since time immemorialーand critically review and adapt our ways of knowing, being, and doing through the lens of ancient wisdom and Indigenous practices.

This session was led by Katrina Johnson, Global Leadership Architect, Co-Director of Monash University’s Master of Indigenous Business Leadership.