Conducting Indigenous Research

An Indigenous Advisory Circle has created a definition of Indigenous research for SSHRC. This is the definition used by the University of Guelph and its Research Ethics Board when reviewing Indigenous research projects.

Indigenous Research Definition: Research in any field or discipline that is conducted by, grounded in, or engaged with First Nations, Inuit, Métis or other Indigenous nations, communities, societies or individuals, and their wisdom, cultures, experiences, or knowledge systems, as expressed in their dynamic forms, past and present. Indigenous research can embrace the intellectual, physical, emotional and/or spiritual dimensions of knowledge in creative and interconnected relationships with people, places, and the natural environment.

Whatever the methodologies or perspectives that apply in a given context, researchers who conduct Indigenous research, whether they are Indigenous or non-Indigenous themselves, commit to respectful relationships with all Indigenous peoples and communities.

The most fundamental approach to indigenization in research is a conscious decision in any research project to include Indigenous scholarship, voices, perspectives, and methodologies:

• In citations
• In identification of research priorities/questions
• In research design
• In the conduct of research/research methods
• In authorship
• Seeking advice or guidance of Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers

Indigenization is often understood in terms of respectfully weaving or braiding together Western and Indigenous knowledge. Indigenizing research is critical to help end the systematic exclusion of Indigenous peoples and their knowledge from research, and to prevent further harm through misrepresentation or exploitation. Deeper approaches to indigenization could relate to decolonial or resurgence-based approaches to research as described in Indigenization as inclusion, reconciliation, and decolonization: navigating the different visions for indigenizing the Canadian Academy.

Begin by reviewing the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans – TCPS 2 (2022) (Chapter 9 – Research Involving the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples of Canada)

To further support UofG researchers, RSO and Indigenous Initiative worked with the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) to develop an informative webinar about the ethics of “Doing Indigenous Research” and other resources available at Indigenous Research Ethics.

A webinar on “Respecting Indigenous Sovereignty Through Research Data Management Strategies” created by UofG graduate student Danielle Nowosad is available through the Indigenous Initiatives SharePoint site.

The UofG Library has also created a short guide to Indigenous Data Sovereignty.

Start by aligning your research with key commitments set out in the University of Guelph’s Indigenous Initiatives Strategy – Bi-Naagwad – It Comes into View:

1. Think about how you might foster meaningful partnerships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Knowledge Holders, communities, and organizations related to your area of research (p. 3).

   For example, Ecological research ‘in a good way’ means ethical and equitable relationships with Indigenous Peoples and Lands co-authored by U of G’s own Dr. Jesse Popp explores how researchers can establish ethical and equitable relationships with Indigenous peoples and lands.

2. Find ways to enhance recognition and respect for Indigenous cultures, languages, and ways of knowing, being, and doing within your research practice and design (p. 3).

   For example, learn from resources co-created through the Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership (CRP) about how to create an “ethical space” for research. The CRP is a partnership among the University of Guelph, IISAAK OLAM, and the Indigenous Leadership Initiative.

3. Read about innovative Indigenous research to help you begin expanding how you and your team understand and interpret the world (p. 3).

   For example, read Implementing Indigenous Gender-Based Analysis in Research: Principles, Practices and Lessons Learned co-authored by U of G’s own Dr. Diana Lewis that provides reflections and examples on how to integrate Indigenous understandings of gender into research and analysis.

Although you may not be directly engaging with Indigenous people or communities in your research consider asking yourself the following questions:

1. How might I learn from Indigenous scholarship and teachings to rethink my research questions and the process of coming up with research questions?
2. How might indigenizing my research help to create the conditions for Indigenous graduate and undergraduate students to thrive in my research team?
3. Does my research continue to reinforce the exclusion of Indigenous knowledge and science or is there a way I could include broader perspectives by citing Indigenous scholars or reports by Indigenous organizations?

• Commit to planning and undertaking a learning journey.
• Review the Protocol Guide for Working with Indigenous Peoples available on the Indigenous Initiatives SharePoint site.
• Educate yourself about the community, its history, interests, priorities, and perspectives based on what the community may share publicly online.
• Learn about the traditional territories, treaty and/or unceded lands of the community and its history, including prior to the arrival of Europeans.
• Consider emailing the community directly to introduce yourself and your area of research once you have thought about the level of community engagement that might be appropriate. See Indigenous Research Level of Engagement Tool (fnuniv.ca).
• Consider reaching out for additional support in planning your outreach through the Indigenization & EDI Advisor in Research in RSO (see contact at the bottom of the page).
• Continue to learn by reading literature by Indigenous scholars and about Indigenous methodologies and worldviews, particularly from scholars with connections to the community.
• Seek to understand how past and ongoing settler colonialism makes building trusting relationships difficult, yet essential for any research collaboration.
• Respect Indigenous sovereignty, the right to free, prior, and informed consent, and the right to self-determination.
• One possible way to demonstrate respect early in the relationship might be by inviting key members of the community to a funded workshop to initiate conversations exploring shared research interests and values from the beginning, rather than presenting a fully formed research project for input.

First and foremost, you will need to work with your Indigenous partners to understand and help support their vision and values for the use and control of data about their people, communities, lands, cultures, and environment.

The Library has created a short guide to Indigenous Data Sovereignty.

A webinar on “Respecting Indigenous Sovereignty Through Research Data Management Strategies” created by graduate student Danielle Nowosad is available through the Indigenous Initiatives SharePoint site.

It may help to become familiar with the protocols and principles that have been developed to help guide the ethical conduct of Indigenous research and management of data, such as: First Nations OCAP^® Principles, USAI Research Framework, and the CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance. However, each Indigenous community and each research project will have unique considerations.

It is important to provide honoraria as a monetary offering to individual First Nations, Métis and Inuit Elders and Knowledge Holders as a thank you for their time and knowledge.

The University of Guelph has developed a Step-By-Step Honorarium Guide – Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Holders and a Payment Request Form – Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Holders.

Please consult these key Tri-Agency resources on Indigenous Research:

• SSHRC: Guidelines for the Merit Review of Indigenous Research
• CIHR: Defining Indigenous Health Research