Aurélia Kaililani Kinslow (M.A. M.Ed, Ph.D. Cand.) has rooted her life’s work in her unwavering commitment to social justice, cultural revitalization and transforming education in Indigenous communities. Sun Curriculum is founded on her doctoral research, her artistic journey and her background as an educator — a unique teaching and consulting practice that supports education professionals on their paths to fostering education experiences that are decolonized and rooted in social justice.

Aurélia’s maternal lineage is Indigenous (Cherokee/Chickasaw) and African-American. Her late hānai father was Kanaka Maoli. He named her Kaililani the hereditary name of his maternal lineage originating from Kohala, Hawaii Island. She now resides within the traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh people with her family.

Born and raised in Paris, France, Aurélia grew up with native fluency in both French and English. She also learned Spanish and Reo Tahiti during her Bachelor and Masters of Arts, and studied on exchange at the University de la Polynésie Française (UPF) in Tahiti. She has taught French to hundreds of students since the late 1990s, and currently offers tailored language lessons for committed learners seeking fluency.

Aurélia’s artistic background includes a rich career in dance filled with performing, choreographing, and earning competition titles. She eventually directed Varuahine Dance Ensemble, her Tahitian dance / ‘Ori Tahiti dance company on Hawaii Island. She taught dance at community, public education and higher education levels in Hawaii, California and Vancouver.

Creativity, ingenuity and depth, along with an intercultural and international knowledge base complements her analysis of complex issues affecting Indigenous communities, afro-descended and migrant communities in the Pacific and North America.

Stemming from her creative practice and commitment to ‘Ori Tahiti, her graduate research in Curriculum Studies at the University of British Columbia and in Pacific Islands Studies at the University of Hawaii, focused on the intersections of Indigenous pedagogy and decolonization through dance, culture and language revitalization.