Culture as Curriculum: Learning Rooted in Tradition Empowers Indigenous Youth in North, Experts Stress
WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – Having explored both informal and formal learning in previous articles, we now turn our focus to the critical importance of culturally relevant learning, particularly for Indigenous youth in northern and remote communities. For many youth and emerging artists, culturally relevant learning is not just an enriching addition, but a foundational necessity for empowerment and leadership. Learning pathways must be deeply rooted in traditional knowledge, language, and cultural practices to truly serve themselves and their communities.
Inuk youth artist Tony Eetak speaks passionately about the foundational role of culture in education. “For Inuit youth, culture is our curriculum,” emphasizes Eetak in his first language, Inuktitut. “Learning our languages, practicing our traditions, connecting with our Elders – these are not just electives; they are the core of our education, the foundation on which everything else is built. Culturally relevant learning empowers us youth to understand who we are, where we come from, and what we are capable of contributing to the world, and in our own way.”
The “Our People Our Climate” Nunavut pilot (2019-2020) centered Inuit youth stories. “Come Eat With Me” emphasized participatory arts-based approaches. Similarly, the “Relationship Development” project (2023-2024) actively prioritized inclusion and empowerment of Indigenous youth, Elders, and women, ensuring cultural knowledge exchange was central to its design and execution.
Kami Norland, in a recent article on non-hierarchical teams, emphasizes the importance of creating safe and inclusive spaces. “Build Psychological Safety – Ensure that all voices can be heard without fear of judgment,” she said. “When people feel safe to contribute, innovation flourishes.” This principle is profoundly important for culturally relevant learning. Creating learning environments where cultural grounding is central requires fostering psychological safety, allowing youth to express their cultural identities and perspectives without fear, ensuring their voices are not just heard but valued, and where innovation can flourish from this safety.
Both “Our People Our Climate” and “Come Eat With Me” prioritized creating safe, culturally affirming spaces. Furthermore, the “Relationship Development” project intentionally co-constructed and co-led initiatives with Indigenous youth, women, and Elders from Winnipeg and Minnesota, embedding psychological safety and cultural respect directly into the project’s leadership and structure.
Jamie Bell highlights the powerful connection between culturally grounded learning and creative expression. “When arts education is culturally relevant for Indigenous youth, it’s transformative,” says Bell. “It allows them to express their identities, tell their stories through their own cultural lenses, revitalize and rejuvenate art forms. This creative expression is a powerful form of learning and leadership development in itself; it’s a voice finding its strength.”
Dr. Olaf Kuhlke, reflecting on the values of creative entrepreneurship, emphasizes the importance of “designing systems that prioritize trust, dignity, and sustainability.” Culturally relevant learning embodies these values. Centering traditional knowledge and practices, educational systems can build trust with communities, uphold the dignity of local cultures, and contribute to the long-term sustainability of programs and communities by empowering youth through culturally grounded education.
Culturally relevant learning, encompassing language revitalization, traditional arts, land-based education, and intergenerational knowledge sharing, is essential for empowering First Nations, Metis and Inuit youth, particularly from northern and remote communities. Prioritizing culture as curriculum, learning pathways foster stronger cultural identities, advance self-determination, and incubate a new generation of leaders who are deeply connected to their heritage and poised to shape the future of their communities.
Seek out opportunities to learn about Indigenous cultures and histories in your region. How can you support culturally relevant learning initiatives?
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