Indigenous Methodologies: Traversing Indigenous and Western worldviews in research

Abstract

Using Indigenous methodologies to guide a doctoral study honouring cultural traditions and protocols was integral in working with the local community. Traditional talking circles were used to create a culturally safe environment for urban Aboriginal women to talk about their health care experiences and recommend strategies for change. The methodological research process was guided and shaped by Elders and community members sharing their knowledge and stories. This fluid non-linearity and unpredictability, common in Indigenous methodologies, challenged the researcher to stay true to the methodology while simultaneously respecting cultural protocols and traditions. The successes and challenges of embracing Indigenous methodologies in the midst of academia without losing sight of respect, commitment and accountability to Indigenous peoples and the institution are offered.

Indigenous Methodology in Understanding Indigenous Nurse Graduate Transition to Practice

“…On the other hand, decolonizing methodologies "privilege Indigenous knowledge, voices, experiences, reflections, and analyses of their social, material and spiritual conditions" (Rigney cited in Smith, 2005, p. 87) and, in doing so, increase the presence, visibility, and voice of Indigenous people (Brown & Strega, 2005;Kovach, 2005;Smith, 1999), thereby protecting Indigenous knowledge. Critical to Indigenous research is an understanding of the significance of Indigenous knowledge and the ways in which Indigenous people make sense of life in today's world (Kurtz, 2013). Indigenous knowledge spans across cultures, histories, and geographic spaces that are beyond the physical world (Dei, Hall, & Rosenberg, 2000).…”

“…Brown and Strega (2005), anti-oppressive Canadian scholars, suggest Indigenous research is aligned with critical and decolonizing approaches that see research as an emancipatory commitment to empower a position of resistance and challenge power relations and systemic oppressions with the intent "to individually and collectively chang[e] the conditions of our lives and the lives of those on the margins" (Brown & Strega, 2005, p. 10). This approach asks whose interests are being served (Smith, 1999) in order to challenge research processes that are steeped in dominance and subordination politically (Kurtz, 2013). Thus, an Indigenous paradigm that includes historical, political, and cultural texts provides a "space for further dialogue within a framework that privileges the Indigenous presence" (Smith, 1999, p. 6).…”

“…Talking circles are an ancient customary cultural way for Indigenous people to share their stories; construct collective decisions to solve problems; and to carryout group processes (Becker, Affonso, & Blue Horse Beard, 2006;Struthers, Hodge, Geishirt-Cantrell, & De Cora, 2003). Talking circles also provide a confidential reassuring avenue for diverse groups of people to share knowledge, and for collective visioning, action planning, and healing (Kurtz, 2013). They are common in Indigenous group communications to provide opportunity for each member in the circle to speak uninterrupted and to share information and knowledge in a supportive atmosphere (Struthers et al, 2003).…”

Re-Thinking Housing: From Physical Manifestation of Colonial Planning Policy to Community-Focused Networks

“…Contrasted against the rigidity of textual traditions, Simpson describes a more experiential and personal journey towards knowledge, which make take different forms across different cultures. This is a journey that Kurtz (2013) describes as self-discovery, and is part of a lifetime of learning and sharing.…”

“…Many models to include Indigenous knowledge are described in the literature of various disciplines (Calliou, 2015;Jojola, 2013;Kurtz, 2013), each serving as a reminder that the rational-scientific model currently given preference has alternatives. The alternative models demonstrate the possibility of rejecting the idea that housing is a problem solely of health, poverty, or design that must be solved through science.…”