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Indigenous Research Ethics and Practice

The leadership and meaningful involvement of indigenous peoples engaged in research is rapidly evolving. This is occurring within the context of indigenous peoples around the world continuing to thrive despite often long histories of colonial interference. Written by a First Nation community-based researcher, this entry offers an introductory discussion regarding indigenous research practice and ethics. Drawing upon the values that are further described below, a perspective is offered regarding the fundamentals of developing and sustaining good research relationships.

Introduction

Self-Location

As a basic principle, knowing who is engaging in research and where they are from is essential. In contrast to Western European sociocultural restrictions (where talking about oneself is often interpreted as a sign of arrogance), properly introducing oneself to others is a way of respectfully acknowledging the ancestors who have come before us. It opens the dialogue with others to identify possible family or clan ties and begins the process of creating a relationship. The importance of beginning in ‘a good way’, or in a manner that is respectful of the territory where work is to unfold, is essential for everyone engaging in a research project.

Self-location as a concept requires briefly sharing details about one's self. This offers context and clarifies the position of the person involved in a project from the outset of shared work or presentations. Is an Aboriginal person leading the project? What Nation and territory is he or she from? What might this knowledge tell the participant, the community, a reviewer or someone planning action based upon the findings? What insights might be drawn about the perspective, understanding and assumptions the person might bring to the research?

Knowing, for instance, that this entry is written from the perspective of a community-based First Nation researcher's perspective positions the following comments within a certain context. The fact that the author lives, works and engages in research from sea-to-sea-to-sea in Canada may offer further insight. Finally, knowing that the focus of the author's research lies in the field of health, specifically HIV/AIDS, may contribute towards further grounding the roots of the story being offered in the following pages.

A Word on Terminology

Definitions are also useful. As a people who have been labelled by others, many times in foreign languages, knowing how words are being used is important. In Canada, the term Aboriginal is used as an umbrella term for the three categories of First Peoples within the boundaries of what is now a nation state. First Nations (or Indians), Métis and Inuit populations reside across the country bordered by the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic Oceans. Within each of these populations, there is great diversity: over 800 different communities, many different languages and unique customs and ceremonies.

Internationally, the term indigenous is used to respectfully refer to the First Peoples of a territory. As an inclusive term, indigenous is used in the language of the United Nations as a reference to the more than 370 million First Peoples throughout the world. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples specifically does not define who are indigenous peoples, in the interest of respecting the right of indigenous peoples to self-define themselves. In the interest of respectfully engaging in an international dialogue, the term indigenous will be used here.

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