Best Practices

Authenticity & Unconscious Bias

 

Unconscious bias (also called implicit bias) is the name for the assumptions, connections and opinions we hold as an automatic response. They are learned, but are not intentional, and are a normal human experience. This means addressing them should be intentional.

 

1. Be transparent and thoughtful about who you are

   1. Are you Indigenous? Reflect on your background

   2. Why are you doing this work, and why is it important to you?

2. Identify your biases (what are the assumptions you are bringing?)

3. Identify the potential impacts of your biases (how might they impact the session you are running?)

4. Ask yourself: why is it important to address your biases?

5. Educate yourself first

   1. Identify authentic sources 

   2. Seek first person voices

   3. Avoid commodified opinion pieces

 

People & Purpose Centered Work

 

1. Center Indigenous voices: Invite or partner with local Indigenous teachers.

2. Read and discuss The CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance https://www.gida-global.org/care, shared by the Global Indigenous Data Alliance (GIDA). These principles affirm Indigenous rights to self-determination, and strongly center people and purpose.

3. Consider the source and purpose of your materials: 

   1. Who made, gathered and wrote them? 

   2. When were they made, and what was the purpose?

   3. Who funded this work (or benefited from it), and why? 

 

Tell Stories

 

Sharing stories based on specific, relatable examples is a good way to increase class or workshop engagement, and comprehension.

 

1. Seek first person perspectives (Invite Indigenous teachers)

2. Share Indigenous stories and discuss connections with your group. Some examples from this workshop packet:

   1. Interviews TBC

   2. Agricultural Practices of the Oneida Nation (REYNALDO A MORALES Educational Environmental Media, 2013) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww2wqC1xHzU 

   3. Kanenon:we - Original Seeds (PBS, 2025) https://www.pbs.org/show/kanenonwe-original-seeds/ 

   4. Indigenous Seed Exchange Etiquette (Ukwakhwa, 2021)

https://www.youtube.com/@Ukwakhwa/search?query=exchange

1. Black Ash Baskets: An Iroquois Tradition https://oneida-nsn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/BLACK-ASH-BASKETS-9.13.pdf

2. Oneida White Corn Soup https://wisconsinlife.org/food-traditions/oneida-white-corn-soup/ 

3. Ancient Heirloom Oneida White Corn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iZNPWDZUpw 

4. The Native Seed Pod podcast https://www.nativeseedpod.org/about