Indigenous research methodologies aim to conduct research in a way that aligns with Indigenous worldviews and experiences of colonization. Traditional Western research models are seen as incompatible as they were developed through a colonial lens. Indigenous methods value holism, relationships, storytelling, place-based knowledge and community oversight. Challenges include incorporating holistic knowledge and a lack of standardization, while merits include linking past and present through stories and emphasizing Indigenous values and philosophies. Storytelling is an important part of Indigenous epistemology and a way to engage others with research findings.

1. Indigenous Methodologies
Summary of Margaret Kovach’s Indigenous Methodologies: Characteristics, Conversations, and
Contexts
Chapters 1 & 2
Presented by Reece Digney, Andrea Foster, & Lainie Stewart

2. Indigenous worldview vs. Western worldview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsh-NcZyuiI

3. 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

4. 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:

5. 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.

6. 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)

7. 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.

8. 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)

9. 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)

10. 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).

11. 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).

12. 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)

13. 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).

14. 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).

15. 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?

16. 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.

17. 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