In 2016, Andrea L.K. Johnston launched the first training curriculum in Indigenous evaluation practice, titled Honouring Reconciliation in Evaluation. At Johnston Research Inc. we seek to deconstruct and decolonize the language and assumptions behind evaluation to support the unfolding of a reconciliation process that changes the ways evaluations are operationalized. Andrea has also published a series of workshop manuals on Indigenous evaluation.
In 2010, we launched the Waawiyeyaa Evaluation Tool, which is designed to encourage healing through oral tradition and storytelling. Our Waawiyeyaa Evaluation Tool is used across Canada and internationally. Grey Bruce Health Unit is using our tools with local Indigenous communities on an ongoing basis.
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Upcoming Workshops
We are excited to share an update on our progress in sharing the knowledge of the Honouring Reconciliation in Evaluation curriculum.
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Winnipeg October Workshops
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Toronto November Workshops
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Edmonton December Workshops
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Upcoming Conferences
Andrea L.K. Johnston will speak at two public conferences this fall:
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Evaluation from a Place of Spirit
At the Healing Our Spirit Worldwide conference
November 26 – 29, 2018, TBD, interactive inspiring workshop session
International Convention Centre, Sydney
Facilitated by Andrea L.K. Johnston
Working from a place of spirit starts with truth. Truth occurs from many perceptions and dimensions. Truth is the essence of what evaluation is designed to uncover. Scientific inquiry seeks to uncover the physical truths of an object it studies. However, Indigenous peoples are challenging evaluation to go beyond the physical understanding of whether an intervention is deemed successful or not. Given the complexity of understanding truth, evaluation too must challenge itself to embrace this complexity. By embracing the complexity of truth, evaluation can begin to operate from a place of spirit. It is within the path of spiritual understanding that we can begin to truly understand why and how programs are well-oiled machines and others struggle at every corner.
Truth exists in the past, present, and future simultaneously and can reveal knowledge from realms beyond the physical. Spirit brings a unique understanding to every evaluation. Thus, evaluation must reveal these other truths beyond the physical and surface of everyday knowledge. It is these special insights which ignite the spiritual experience of those who are impacted by the evaluation. Reporting must reflect these additional knowledge bases. This article provides a unique Indigenous framework of understanding developed within a training curriculum titled, “Honouring Reconciliation in Evaluation”. This framework defines the assumptions behind the evaluation approach, uncovers the degrees of knowledge and varying roles of an evaluator, defines the varied types of program design, and defines the ways evaluation is managed.
The sharing of our Indigenous evaluation framework from a place of spirit will:
- define the assumptions behind the evaluation approach,
- uncover the degrees of knowledge and varying roles of an evaluator,
- define the varied types of program design, and
- define the ways evaluations are managed.
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The Journey to Reconciliation
at the Nonprofit Driven 2018 conference
October 11, 2018, 2:15pm – 3:45pm, panel sessions, 5 panelists
Metro Convention Conference Centre, South Building
Moderated by Shereen Munshi, The Circle
The road to truth and reconciliation is a journey. Through peer storytelling, we will share and learn from both Indigenous and settler organizations who have started their journey to reconciliation in their work. Particularly, we will explore how organizations are taking a reconciliation approach - what they are learning and what challenges they are facing - in the following streams that relate to all of our work: evaluation, granting, programming and planning conferences/events. Participants are welcome to share their stories or experiences and contribute to the discussions.
Four Panelist Storytellers:
- Granting: Laidlaw Foundation
- Evaluation: Johnston Research Inc.
- Events: TBD
- Programming: Banff Centre
Panel Outcomes:
- Model a learning environment
- Embed that reconciliation is a journey not a destination
- Share practical lessons, learnings, failures, tips
- Interactivity with audience
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Collaborative Projects
Andrea is the evaluator assisting the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity this September 2018 to develop a new curriculum in partnership with Banff the Indigenous Leadership department on Indigenous Evaluation for delivery in March 10 – 15, 2019 in a five-day workshop setting training Indigenous community members in Indigenous evaluation methods and approaches.
The Town of Banff (pop. 8,000) is your base camp for adventure. Visit any time of year! World-class skiing, skating and snowshoeing gives way to spectacular walking and biking trails during the summer months, and our famous hot springs are yours to enjoy all year round. The town itself is peppered with intriguing museums, galleries, cafes and boutiques just waiting for you to explore.
Founded in 1933 by the University of Alberta, Department of Extension, with a grant from the U.S.-based Carnegie Foundation, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity began with a single course in drama. In 2016, The Banff Centre changed its name to Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Today, the Centre continues its role as a catalyst for creativity. The global leader in arts, culture, and creativity, the Banff Centre is a leader in the development and promotion of creative work in the arts, sciences, business, and the environment.
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Organizations We Work With
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