The Story of ii’ taa’poh’to’p: University of Calgary’s Journey Towards an Indigenous Strategy

The Story of ii’ taa’poh’to’p is a beautifully crafted narrative developed by the University of Calgary to introduce and explain the institution’s Indigenous Strategy. The book uses story as pedagogy, weaving together Blackfoot ways of knowing with contemporary educational contexts. Through metaphor, imagery, and teachings shared by Elders and Knowledge Keepers, this work not only outlines Indigenous perspectives but also a path of Indigenization of an organization. The text emphasizes that meaningful reconciliation requires humility, respect, and lifelong learning, but also offers numerous Indigenous teachings and concrete steps around the respectful integration of Indigenous ways of knowing. Excerpts of this work could be shared in social studies lessons to encourage inquiry into Indigenous worldviews and see personal connections to the journey of reconciliation. Additionally, it could be used as an example of informative writing for English language lessons with the benefit of being rooted in an Albertan organization and containing local Indigenous voices. It could also be used with staff to discuss reconciliation within their own organization and additional actions that could be explored using the examples and lessons learned from the University of Calgary.