In this episode of The Inquiry Oasis, host Jeffrey Anthony speaks with Dr. Valerie Shirley and Dr. Jeremy Garcia, co-founding directors of the Indigenous Teacher Education Program (ITEP) at the University of Arizona College of Education. The discussion meticulously dissects the ITEP framework, philosophy, and its consequential impact on Indigenous students, schools, and communities. Exploring topics that range from the program's origins to its broader socio-cultural implications, the episode weaves a compelling narrative that underscores the need for culturally attuned and community-based approaches in education.

Topics Discussed

• Indigenous Epistemologies: The Knowledge Systems Guiding ITEP
• Philosophical Underpinnings: The Ideological Foundation of ITEP
• Cultural and Community Context: ITEP's Grounding in Indigenous Communities
• The Role of Ceremonies and Cultural Practices in Indigenous Education
• Intersecting Identities: Navigating Multiple Cultural Spaces in Education
• The Pedagogical Journey: Academic Paths and Influences of Drs. Shirley and Garcia
• ITEP's Impact and Future: Addressing Challenges and Charting New Directions

Recommended Books

• Indigenous Methodologies: Characteristics, Conversations, and Contexts by Margaret Kovach
• Culturally Sustaining Pedagogies, Teaching and Learning for justice, Justice in a Changing World by Django Paris
• Red Pedagogy: Native American Social and Political Thought by Sandy Grande