Reclaiming the Elder Role of Educator in Higher Education for Alaska Native Elders

ABSTRACT

Indigenous educational models in higher education that incorporate Elder wisdom, knowledge, and experience are supported by educators but often not well understood or implemented. This study provides an in-depth exploration of six Elders’ experiences serving as members of university instructor teams in a Rural Human Services university program. Results from individual interviews and a focus group with these Elders yielded important findings as to the positive benefits of this model for students, Elders, and university faculty. Importantly, Elders spoke to the transformation of the curriculum in a way that facilitates and bridges the integration of Indigenous knowledge and experiences with a Eurocentric curriculum.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Valerie Gifford

Valerie Gifford is director of the Student Health and Counseling Center at University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Diane McEachern

Diane McEachern is associate professor of rural human services and human services at University of Alaska Fairbanks, Kuskokwim Campus.