LibGuides: Indigenous Studies: Indigenous Research Methodology

Introduction

This guide provides OC Library and web resources related to Indigenous research methodology as well as search strategies on this and related topics.

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In "What is indigenous research methodology?", Shawn Hunt (2001) writes:

"...Indigenous research needs to reflect Indigenous contexts and world views: that is, they must come from an Indigenous paradigm rather than an Indigenous perspective.

One major difference between the dominant paradigms and an Indigenous paradigm is that the dominant paradigms build on the fundamental belief that knowledge is an individual entity: the researcher is an individual in search of knowledge, knowledge is something that is gained, and therefore knowledge may be owned by an individual. An Indigenous paradigm comes from the fundamental belief that knowledge is relational. Knowledge is shared with all of creation. It is not just interpersonal relationships, not just with the research subjects I may be working with, but it is a relationship with all of creation. It is with the cosmos, it is with the animals, with the plants, with the earth that we share this knowledge. It goes beyond the idea of individual knowledge to the concept of relational knowledge."

See also: Indigenous Data Sovereignty guide.

IMPORTANT: the dominant structure for organizing information is from a western perspective, for this reason you may need to use outdated (sometimes offensive) terminology to find resources; do not hesitate to contact us for assistance navigating this.

Combine keywords related to the concept of Indigenous identity with keywords related to your area of interest.

For example:

Indigenous	Aboriginal	"First Nations"
Inuit	Métis	"Indians of North America"
Indian	Native	Name of Nation or Community (e.g. Secwépemc)

AND

"Research methodology"	"Research ethics"	"Traditional knowledge"
"Research methods"	Praxis	"Research theories"
"Research protocols"	"Cultural protocols"

Search Tips:

Use quotation marks to search for a phrase (e.g. "traditional knowledge").
Use an asterisk to search for words with the same stem (e.g.method* retrieves method, methods, methodology, methodologies).
Terminology changes over time. You many need to search for alternative spellings of a word, for example: Sto:lo, Stó:lô, Staulo, Stahlo or you may need to search for alternate words, for example: Kwakiutl/Kwakwaka'wakw or Nootka/Nuu-chah-nulth

Subject headings are a tool designed to help researchers find similar materials. These are only some examples of the many subject headings that Okanagan College Library uses. Spend a few minutes exploring them when you find a book in the catalogue that supports your research.

Search by Subject Terms

research methodology
Indigenous knowledge system
Indigenous research methods
Indigenous research methodologies
Indigenous practices
Indigenous traditional knowledge

Featured Podcasts

Maw-lukutinej / Let's Work Together
S2-E8 Who Benefits and Community Choice
We discuss engaged research, who benefits, in what ways, and why it’s important to understand that a community has a choice to participate in ways that are in line with their own priorities and context.
mbwaach’idiwag (they visit with each other)
Episode 1: Visiting with Dr. Diana Lewis
Sara Mai visits with Dr Diana Lewis, a Mikmaq researcher and Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and Environment and Indigenous Studies program, at Western University. They discuss Mikmaq connections to land, community-led research approaches and the concept of Two-Eyed Seeing.

Featured Books

Access: A Zone of Comprehension and Intrusion
Chapter 7: Transforming research through Indigenous cultural protocols: issues of access, privacy, and respect. Author: Tiffany S. Lee
Applying Indigenous Research Methods
Applying Indigenous Research Methods focuses on the question of "How" Indigenous Research Methodologies (IRMs) can be used and taught across Indigenous studies and education. In this collection, Indigenous scholars address the importance of IRMs in their own scholarship, while focusing conversations on the application with others.
Decolonizing Methodologies
This essential volume explores intersections of imperialism and research - specifically, the ways in which imperialism is embedded in disciplines of knowledge and tradition as 'regimes of truth.' Concepts such as 'discovery' and 'claiming' are discussed and an argument presented that the decolonization of research methods will help to reclaim control over indigenous ways of knowing and being.
Indigenous Methodologies: characteristics, conversations and contexts
Indigenous methodologies flow from tribal knowledge, and while they are allied with several western qualitative approaches, they remain distinct. These are the focal considerations of Margaret Kovach's study,which offers guidance to those conducting research in the academy using Indigenous methodologies.
Indigenous Statistics
Qualitative methods have been rigorously critiqued and reformulated, the population statistics relied on by virtually all research on Indigenous peoples continue to be taken for granted as straightforward, transparent numbers. This book dismantles that positivism with a forceful critique, then fills the void with a new paradigm for Indigenous quantitative methods.
Research Is Ceremony
Indigenous researchers are knowledge seekers who work to progress Indigenous ways of being, knowing and doing in a modern and constantly evolving context. This book describes a research paradigm shared by Indigenous scholars in Canada and Australia, and demonstrates how this paradigm can be put into practice.

Featured Articles

Chikashshaat Asilhlhat Holissochi (Chickasaws Are Asking and Writing): Enacting Indigenous Protocols in Academic Research and Writing
Chew, K. A. B., & Hinson, L. J. D. (2021). Chikashshaat Asilhlhat Holissochi (Chickasaws Are Asking and Writing): Enacting Indigenous protocols in academic research and writing. Journal of the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association (NAIS), 8(2), 1.
Hede kehe' hotzi' kahidi': My Journey to a Tahltan Research Paradigm
Edosdi, J. C. T. (2008). Hede kehe' hotzi' kahidi': My journey to a Tahltan research paradigm. Canadian Journal of Native Education, 31(1), 24-40,322.
Indigenous works and two eyed seeing: mapping the case for indigenous-led research
Colbourne, R., Moroz, P., Hall, C., Lendsay, K., & Anderson, R. B. (2020). Indigenous works and two eyed seeing: mapping the case for Indigenous-led research. Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management: An International Journal, 15(1), 68–86.
Institutional logics and indigenous research sovereignty in Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand
Díaz Ríos, C., Dion, M. L., & Leonard, K. (2020). Institutional logics and Indigenous research sovereignty in Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Studies in Higher Education, 45(2), 403–415.
Keeoukaywin: The Visiting Way - Fostering an Indigenous Research Methodology
Gaudet, J. C. (2018). Keeoukaywin: The visiting way--fostering an Indigenous research methodology. Aboriginal Policy Studies, 7(2), 47–64.
Research Ethics in Decolonizing Research With Inuit Communities in Nunavut: The Challenge of Translating Knowledge Into Action
Held, M. B. E. (2020). Research ethics in decolonizing research with Inuit communities in Nunavut: The challenge of translating knowledge into action. International Journal of Qualitative Methods.
Shifting practise: recognizing Indigenous rights holders in research ethics review
Bull, J., Beazley, K., Shea, J., MacQuarrie, C., Hudson, A., Shaw, K., Brunger, F., Kavanagh, C., & Gagne, B. (2019). Shifting practise: recognizing Indigenous rights holders in research ethics review. Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management: An International Journal, 15(1), 21–35.
What Does Being a Settler Ally in Research Mean? A Graduate Student's Experience Learning From and Working Within Indigenous Research Paradigms
Snow, K. (2018). What does being a settler ally in research mean? A graduate students experience learning from and working within Indigenous research paradigms. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 17.
A framework for co-production of knowledge in the context of Arctic research Negeqlikacaarni kangingnaulriani ayuqenrilnguut piyaraitgun kangingnauryararkat
Yua, E., Raymond-Yakoubian, J., Aluaq Daniel, R., & Behe, C. (2022). A framework for co-production of knowledge in the context of Arctic research. Ecology and Society, 27(1)

Research Ethics

Indigenous Research Ethics
This distinctive volume presents Indigenous research as strong and self-determined with theories, ethics and methodologies arising from within unique cultural contexts.

CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance
The CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance are people and purpose-oriented, reflecting the crucial role of data in advancing Indigenous innovation and self-determination.The Principles are available to download in summary or full.
First Nations Information Governance Centre: Principles of OCAP
The First Nations principles of OCAP® establish how First Nations’ data and information will be collected, protected, used, or shared. Standing for ownership, control, access and possession, OCAP® is a tool to support strong information governance on the path to First Nations data sovereignty.
National Inuit Strategy on Research
The National Inuit Strategy on Research (NISR) outlines the coordinated actions required to
improve the way Inuit Nunangat research is governed, resourced, conducted, and shared.
Negotiating Research Relationships with Inuit Communities
Created by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and Nunavut Research Institute (2006).
TCPS 2 (2018) – Chapter 9: Research Involving the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples of Canada
This chapter marks a step toward establishing an ethical space for dialogue on common interests and points of difference between researchers and Indigenous communities engaged in research.