Learning circles (CDI): What is their potential Aboriginal community economic development?

This paper explores learning circles and their potential as community economic development (CED) tools. Special emphasis is placed on learning circles as an Aboriginal methodology and the opportunities of using this as an appropriate approach in Aboriginal contexts. Drawing upon the experiences of the Urban Aboriginal Economic Development (UAED) Network and its learning circles, a content analysis is used to examine the lessons and challenges in the wider context of learning circle methodologies, knowledge mobilization theory, and a CED framework. Through a literature review and an account of the UAED experience, the paper introduces the learning circle concept. A brief review of CED principles and processes, and the knowledge mobilization literature, provides the backdrop for placing learning circles in existing concepts. In conclusion, the authors elaborate on the value of the learning circle methodology in terms of its potential to respond to knowledge mobilization expectations and challenges in the realization of Aboriginal CED.

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