Mar 26, 2021
In this episode, Nimot Ogunfemi speaks with Dr. Njoki Wane. Dr. Wane discusses her book titled From My Mother’s Back: A Journey From Kenya to Canada. She additionally explores how her Embu worldview has played a role in her spiritual well-being, shares indigenous insights around the current COVID-19 pandemic, and explains how we can use indigenous spirituality as a tool for liberation.
Nimot and Dr. Wane speak Kiswahili at times in the interview (translations are included in the transcript). Dr. Wane’s indigenous language is Kiembu.
Included in this episode is an original poem by Tanzanian based artist, singer, dancer and environmentalist Angel Mary Kato.
About Dr. Njoki Wane
Njoki Wane, PhD, is a professor at the University of Toronto. Professor Wane is a recognized scholar in the areas of Black feminisms in Canada & Africa, African indigenous knowledges, Anti-colonial and decolonizing education and African women and spirituality. She is currently serving as Chair in the Department of Social Justice Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). An accomplished educator and educational leader, Professor Wane headed the Office of Teaching Support at OISE from 2009 to 2012 establishing its priorities and activities while recognizing equity as a central dimension of good teaching. From 2011 to 2014, Professor Wane served as Special Advisor on Status of Women Issues, contributing to research and policy development concerning the intersectionality of gender with race, disability, sexual orientation and aboriginal status, and the impact of these issues on the lived experiences of women faculty, staff and students at the University of Toronto.
Selected Publications
- Wane, N.N. (2019) From my mother’s back: A journey from Kenya to Canada. Hamilton, ON: Wolsak and Wynn Publishers.
- Wane, N. N., & Todd, K. L. (Eds.). (2018). Decolonial pedagogy: Examining sites of resistance, resurgence, and renewal. Springer.
- Wane, N. N. (2011). Reclaiming our spirituality: A pedagogical tool for feminism and activism. Canadian Woman Studies, 29(1/2), 159.
- Wane, N. N. (2013). [Re] claiming Indigenous Knowledge: Challenges, Resistance, and Opportunities. Decolonization: Indigeneity, Education & Society, 2(1).
- Wane, N. N., Todorova, M. S., & Todd, K. L. (Eds.). (2019). Decolonizing the Spirit in Education and Beyond: Resistance and Solidarity. Springer Nature.
- Wane, N. N. (2002). African women and spirituality. In Expanding the boundaries of transformative learning (pp. 135-150). Palgrave Macmillan, New York.
- Wane, N., Jagire, J., & Murad, Z. (Eds.). (2014). Ruptures: Anti-colonial & anti-racist feminist theorizing. Springer Science & Business Media.
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Episode Credits:
Music: Amir Maghsoodi
Podcast Artwork: B. Andi Lee & Amir Maghsoodi
Episode Editing: Nimot Ogunfemi
Episode Transcript:
http://bit.ly/LibNowE4