Guides: Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, &amp; Accessibility: Indigenous Research

Introduction to Indigenous Research

Welcome, or Kwe' (Mi'kmaq)! The purpose of this section of the guide is to provide researchers and students with information and resources to ethically conduct Indigenous Research.

Indigenous Knowledge and Ways of Knowing

Knowledge and information that comes directly from an Indigenous community is known as Indigenous Knowledges. This refers to the complex and extensive knowledge systems of Indigenous peoples.

Indigenous Knowledges

Indigenous Knowledges reflect the values, histories, experiences, and cultures shared by Indigenous peoples and communities
Indigenous Knowledge is often place based; and largely emulated information learned through relationships based in a specific place
Indigenous Knowledge can be shared and expressed in a variety of ways: e.g. oral traditions, song, art, ceremony, etc.
Indigenous Knowledge is not just set in the past or present, rather it builds on the experiences of the past and present to grow and evolve for future generations

The "4 R's" of Indigenous Research

Responsibility: The individual conducting research is accountable for their research topic to participants and local communities, as well as the impact of their research on people and communities.

Respect: The individual conducting research is responsible for creating strong relationships with communities by ensuring that they are engaging in correct and respectful research methodologies, and that they are updating and sharing information with participants and communities as it unfolds.

Reciprocity: The individual conducting research contributes to relationships within communities while participants from those communities are able to exercise control over their culture and stories. This relationship between researcher and community member helps to create a shared research understanding and dynamic.

Rights and Regulations: The individual conducting research understands and respects the rights of self-determination of participants from Indigenous communities, and acknowledges the trust and consent being given to them in to help them facilitate their research.

Snow, Hays, Caliwagan, Ford Jr, Mariotti, Mwendwa, & Scott. (2014) Guiding principles for Indigenous research practices. Action Research, 14(4), 357-375.

Indigenous Research Methods

"Indigenous research recognizes Indigenous communities develop shared ways of knowing guided by how they view the world, themselves, and the connection between the two." (Snow et al., 2014)

Methods for doing Indigenous research stem from the experiences of Indigenous peoples, their traditions and knowledges, and cultural methods. These methods include, and are not limited to:

Personal Reflection
Sharing Circles
Storytelling
Song
Art
Ceremony
Dance

Indigenous Citation Styles

Journal for Human Rights: Style Guide for Reporting on Indigenous People
When doing research on Indigenous communities there are several important considerations that need to be made in order to ensure that you are being respectful to Indigenous peoples and culture. This style guide provides a comprehensive look at how to thoughtfully approach your research.
KPU Citation Guide
In this guide created by KPU they provide information on how to properly cite information provided by community elders, as this information differs from traditions citation styles.

Ethics in Indigenous Research

Mi'kmaw Ethics Watch
All research studies that involve Mi’kmaw history and culture must follow protocols and standards as well as be reviewed by the Mi’kmaw Ethics Watch collective.