Indigenous MethodologiesSummary of Margaret Kovach’s Indigenous Methodologies: Characteristics, Conversations, and ContextsChapters 1 & 2

Presented by Reece Digney, Andrea Foster, & Lainie Stewart

Indigenous worldview vs. Western worldview:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsh-NcZyuiI

Dr. Leroy Little Bear’s Talk about Indigenous Knowledge and Western Science:

Dr. Leroy Little Bear describes the correlation between

science, specifically Quantum Physics, and the foundational base of Blackfoot knowledge.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJSJ28eEUjI&t=536s

Indigenous research methods are needed due to colonialism. Indigenous people are not like the people who colonized them, they have different belief systems and ways of knowing that cannot be properly researched in a colonized way.

Smith (1999) explains the effects colonized research methods had in society and on Indigenous peoples, “Historically, research produced knowledge about Indigenous peoples, it shaped popular perceptions of them, fed racist ideologies and stereotypes and created distorted images that were fed back to Indigenous people defining for them who they were and what attributes they should possess in order to be Indigenous” (p.1-3).

Purpose of Indigenous Research Methods:

Purpose of Indigenous Research Methods cont.:▪ Kovach (2009) explains the importance of Indigenous research methods to

be closely aligned with the way each group of Indigenous people live. She explains the conflict between Indigenous peoples way of knowing with colonized research methods and how the two do not align with one another. She also explains that language is one of the first complexities between both groups (p. 24).

▪ Due to colonization in Canada a large number of Indigenous people now have English as their first language. Even without a language barrier, Indigenous cultural understanding has not increased thus the requirements of an independent system of research methods.

Indigenous scholars have been working together to find methods of research that are respectful to Indigenous cultural ways of knowing:

Kovach (2009) describes the purpose of the framework is “to illustrate the unification… influencing the process and content of the research journey” (p.42).

Approaches of Indigenous Research Framework: Kovach believes that “Indigenous methodologies can be situated within the qualitative landscape because they encompass characteristics congruent with other relational qualitative approaches (e.g., feminist methodologies, participatory action research)” (2009, p. 24)

Strauss and Corbin define qualitative research as “any type of research that produces findings not arrived at by statistical procedures or other means of quantification” (Strauss, 1998)

Characteristics of Indigenous Research Methods:(research design, researcher’s role)

Research Design: Houston (2007) describes the design as, “It is research from the inside-out; providing an authoritative voice that offers insight into otherwise unknowable worlds” (p.45).

Researcher's Role: Houston (2007) describes the researcher's role as, one that “does not take the conventional standpoint of the “objective outsider”. Instead it positions the researcher as “key informant”, “consummate insider” and as expert when writing on their own culture and experience” (p.47).

The researcher immerses themselves into the lifestyle of the Indigenous group within the research.

Characteristics of Indigenous Research Methods:(data collection, distinction, methodology, ethical concerns)

Data Collection: Kovach (2009) describes the process of collecting data as, “so much of Indigenous ways of knowing is internal, personal, and experiential, creating one standardized, externalized framework for Indigenous research is nearly impossible” (p.43)

Distinction: “three distinct aspects of Indigenous research: (a) the cultural knowledges that guide one’s research choices; (b) the methods used in searching; and (c) a way to interpret knowledge so as to give it back in a purposeful, helpful, and relevant manner.” (p.44)

Indigenous Research Methodology: involves these key qualities: (a) holistic epistemology, (b) story, (c) purpose, (d) the experiential, (e) tribal ethics, (f) tribal ways of gaining knowledge. and (g) an overall consideration of the colonial relationship” (p.44)

Ethical Considerations: Kovach (2009) explains, “Indigenous research show general agreement on the following broad ethical considerations: (a) that the research methodology be in line with Indigenous values; (b) that there is some form of community accountability; (c) that the research gives back to and benefits the community in some manner; and (d) that the researcher is an ally and will not do harm.” (p.48)

Process Methods: Kovach (2009) explains that journaling “throughout the research journey … [by noting] reflections on thoughts, relationships, dreams, anxieties and aspirations in a holistic manner … offered a means of tracing personal analysis and discoveries … [and ultimately] became a tool for making meaning and showed evidence of process and content” (p. 50).

Relationships: Kovach (2009) also explains the importance of relationships, “a pre-existing and ongoing relationship with participants is an accepted characteristic of research according to tribal paradigms” (p.51)

Nêhiyaw Epistemology: (slide 9) Kovach (2009) explains epistemology as, “the center of honours sharing story as a means of knowing, conversation is a non-structured method of gathering knowledge” (p. 51). Kovach goes on to say that “participating in the participant’s stories – their experiences with culture and methodologies – was a primary method of the research rather than interview, because interview lacks reflection, story and dialogue.” (p.51)

Respect for all Participants: A major aspect and concern of this process is to respect those participating, Kovach (2009) describes “out of respect, all participants reviewed and approved their transcripts” (p.53).

Characteristics of Indigenous Research Methods:(process methods, relationships, Nêhiyaw epistemology, participants)

Tribal Epistemologies The Centre of Indigenous Research Methodologies

Epistemology is defined as the branch of philosophy concerned with the theory of knowledge. Epistemology studies the nature of knowledge, justification, and the rationality of belief. FIGURE 2.1 shows the circular way of epistemology, how

it weaves throughout the research processes (p.45).

Theory and Beliefs of Epistemology:

Kovach (2009) explains, ● “As a theory of knowledge,’

epistemology includes beliefs held about knowledge, where it comes from, and whom it involves” (p.46)

● “Nêhiyaw epistemology is a relational methodology, ….it should be assumed that they are nested, created, and re-created within the context of relationships with other living beings” (p.47)

▪ “the elements are fluid and they interact with each other in a weblike formation. Each value represents a strand in a web that is integrated and interdependent with the other strands” (p.47)

▪ “epistemology is simultaneously elusive and ubiquitous, woven tightly with a personal identity that shifts over a lifespan, and though it is holistic it is most often expressed through a cognitive lens” (p.55)

▪ “epistemology captures the ‘self in relation’ (Graveline, 1998) quality of Indigenous knowledge systems (p.56).

Challenges of Indigenous Research Methods: Kovach (2009) explains some of the challenges like: changing process during research, non-standardization, the use of many sources and using a holistic view within Indigenous Research Methods:

▪ “it raises the complexities of integrating holistic knowledge into the research conversation” (p.17)

▪ “Indigenous knowledges can never be standardized, for they are in relation to place and person” (p.56)

▪ “Marlene Brandt-Castellano identifies Indigenous knowledges as coming from a multitude of sources, including ‘traditional teachings, empirical observations, and revelations (dreams, vision, cellular memory and intuition). Because of the interconnection between all entities, seeking this information ought not to be extractive but reciprocal, to ensure an ecological and cosmological balance” (p.57)

Merits of Indigenous Research Methods: Kovach (2009) explains some of the merits like: stories linking past to present, value systems and philosophies.

▪ “Place links present with past and our personal self with kinship groups. What we know flows through us from the ‘echo of generations,’ and our knowledges cannot be universalized because they arise from our experiences with our places. This is why name-place stories matter: they are repositories of science, they tell of relationships, they reveal history, and they hold our identity” (p. 61).

▪ “Indigenous epistemologies are action-oriented. They are about living life every day according to certain values” (p. 63).

▪ “Plains Cree ways of knowing cannot be objectified philosophy for this knowing is a process of being. This epistemology emphasizes the importance of respect, reciprocity, relation, protocol, holistic knowing, relevancy, story, interpretative meaning, and the experiential nested in place and kinship systems” (p. 67).

Synthesis of the Indigenous Research Methods: Storytelling has a rich history within the Indigenous culture. Kovach (2009) goes on to explain:

“Within the structure of story, there is a place for fluidity of metaphor, symbolism, and interpretive communications (both verbal and non-verbal) for a philosophy and language that is less definitive and categorical. My sense is that skilled orators, then and now, were able to imbue energy through word choice, and allow listeners to walk inside the story to find their own teachings” (p. 60).

“The ability to craft our own research stories, in our own voice, has the best chance of engaging others. One strategy is to integrate into our research findings the stories that paint the context of our research” (p. 60).

● “Stories connected to place are both about collectivist tribal orientation, and they are located within our personal knowing and conceptual framework of the world” (p.62)

Michael Hart reminds us, “that there is a web of interconnection that forms our way of knowing… the epistemological interrelationship between people, place, language and animals, and how they influence our coming to know” (p.62).

Questions For Discussion:

1. How can the knowledge of Indigenous research methods be beneficial to you (personally and professionally)?

2. How do you think the differences between western and Indigenous peoples worldviews described in the first video would correlate to challenges faced in indigenous research methodologies?

References:[BanffEvents]. (2015, January 14). Indigenous knowledge and western science: Dr. Leroy Little Bear

talk. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJSJ28eEUjI&t=536s

Denzin, N., and Lincoln, S. (Eds.). (2003). The landscape of qualitative research: Theories and

issues. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage

Houston, J. (2007). Indigenous autoethnography: Formulating our knowledge, our way. The

Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, 36(S1), 45-50. Retrieved from

http://search.informit.com.au.cyber.usask.ca/fullText;dn=909314297709912;res=IELIND

Kovach, M. (2009). Indigenous methodologies: Characteristics, conversations and contexts. Toronto:

University of Toronto Press.

References cont.:

Smith, L. T. (1999). Decolonizing methodologies: Research and indigenous peoples. Zed books.

Strauss, A. L., & Corbin, J. M. (1998). Basics of qualitative research: Techniques and procedures for

developing grounded theory. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.

[wc nativenews]. (2014, May 7). The indigenous world view vs. western world view. [Video file].

Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsh-NcZyuiI