Safety Mapping: An Indigenist Approach to Action Research

Abstract

Aboriginal people in Alice Springs mapped the safe places in their Town Camps. This participatory research led to the implementation of safety features. Safety mapping was developed in response to deficit-based research which pathologized Aboriginal people in Alice Springs. Safety mapping was conducted with Aboriginal people in Town Camps to identify safe places and improve safety. A strengths-based approach showed that problems and their solutions are known, and there are considerable safety assets within Town Camps. The safety mapping centred the voices and experiences of Aboriginal people to produce research that was of benefit to Town Campers, over which Indigenous people retained ownership. This paper highlights that an Indigenist approach to participatory action research is strengthened by Indigenous knowledge in driving social justice.