Research methodologies are systems used to understand the information and knowledge we encounter as researchers. Every research methodology (and there are numerous!) has its foundation in specific beliefs and theoretical groundings. Indigenous research methodologies “encompass tribal or Indigenous epistemologies” (Kovach (Nêhiýaw and Saulteaux), 2009, p. 21), meaning Indigenous research methodologies are representative of specific cultural ways of being. 

The UBC Library Indigenous Research Methodologies guide includes a document of examples that demonstrate how a researcher’s identity and culture inform their methodology. Indigenous research methodologies focus on relationality and accountability, and the relationship between the researcher and the information gathered cannot be overlooked (Wilson (Opaskwayak Cree), 2008).  

See also: Relationality.

Further reading

For more information, check out: 

• Indigenous research methods, ICRC webpage
• Indigenous research methods in action series, SFU Library
• Circles: Indigenous research methods, (2020), Dr. Angela Mashford-Pringle, YouTube, 1 hour, 6 minutes
• Decolonial research methods: Resisting coloniality in academic knowledge production, (2021) National Centre for Research Methods webinar series
• Pulling together: A guide for researchers, Hiłkalá̱ 

The Decolonizing the Library Working Group invites everyone to learn alongside us with Project 57. This project is a response to the TRC Call to Action 57, which calls on "federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to provide education to public servants on the history of Aboriginal peoples." 

For more information visit Indigenous Initiatives.