Is There a Future for Indigenous People? The Application of the Ethnography Future Research to Assess the Indigenous People Sustainability

Abstract

This study explored possible scenarios for the future of the Indigenous Peoples' sustainability linked to the SDGs goal elements by applying the Ethnography Future Research (EFR) synergized with Indigenous methodologies. The study applied interview techniques, storytelling, and sharing-talking circles to collect data, and involved 31 selected informants representing social segments of the Serawai, an Indigenous People in Bengkulu Province, Indonesia. The study employed domain, taxonomy, componential, and cultural themes analysis. The research findings showed that the EFR combined with the indigenous research approach can identify and comprehend the sustainability indicators of Indigenous People. The indicators were obtained through scenarios formulated by research participants including optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely scenarios. The ERF synergized with indigenous research methods facilitated Indigenous Peoples to determine their future based on Indigenous perspectives and allowed researchers to involve Indigenous Peoples in the entire research process. The research findings had been a significant source of data and information in the process of drafting the Regional Regulation on Indigenous Peoples in Bengkulu province.