Indigenous research methods

Depending on whether a project seeks to collect quantitative data, qualitative data, or both, and in consultation with the community or organization, there are various types of methods that could be used for data collection.

Examples of qualitative data collection methods

Talking Circles are used throughout a variety of different cultures and can be adapted as a research method. Dr. Angela Mashford-Pringle at the University of Toronto, Centre for Critical Qualitative Health Research presents considerations and possibilities for using the Talking Circle Method in this video Circles: Indigenous Research Methods.
World Café Method is a fun, interactive community approach to hosting large group conversations. Guided by seven design principles, the World Café method can be adapted to many different contexts. Access this quick reference guide for hosting World Café [PDF - 494 KB]
The Research Impact Canada online course module Storytelling - Humanize the Numbers offers content that speaks to ethical and inclusive ways to include stories and narratives.
The article Addressing the need for Indigenous and decolonized quantitative research methods in Canada (Hayward et al, 2021), examines the importance of decolonizing and indigenizing quantitative research methods.

Resources

Two eyed Seeing: A framework, developed by Mi’kmaw Elder Albert Marshall. Etuaptmumk incorporates both Indigenous and Western ways of knowing.
Research is Ceremony: Researching within an Indigenous Paradigm by Shawn Wilson
Decolonizing Methodologies for Sustainability Research Session 4 with Prof. Linda Tuhiwai Smith
Indigenous and Intercultural Research: Issues, Ethics, and Methods featuring panelists Dr. Bagele Chilisa and Dr. Deborah McGregor. Hosted by SAGE Publishing (2020).
Decolonizing Community-Engaged Research and Unsettling the Work hosted by SFU’s Community Engaged Research Initiative (2021).

The Dalhousie Libraries' Indigenous Studies library guide provides links to sources for articles, books, documents, websites and other resources related to Canadian Indigenous history, socioeconomic and health issues, and cultural studies.
Absolon. (2011). Kaandossiwin: how we come to know. Fernwood.
Chilisa, B. (2012). Indigenous research methodologies. SAGE Publications.
Decolonizing research: Indigenous storywork as methodology (J.-A. Archibald & J. Lee-Morgan, Eds.). ZED Books LTD.
Kovach, M. (2009). Indigenous methodologies: characteristics, conversations, and contexts. University of Toronto Press.
McGregor, D., Restoule, J.-P., & Johnston, R. (2018). Indigenous research: theories, practices, and relationships (McGregor, J.-P. Restoule, & R. Johnston, Eds.). Canadian Scholars.
Smith, L. T. (2021) Decolonizing methodologies: Research and indigenous peoples. London, United Kingdom: Zed Books.
Wilson, Shawn. (2008). Research Is Ceremony: Indigenous Research Methods.

Learn to master the Indigenous writing style

12 Ways To Better Choose Our Words When We Write About Indigenous Peoples [PDF - 361 KB]

More Than Personal Communication: Templates for citing Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers

Indigenous research methods

Examples of qualitative data collection methods

Resources

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Examples of qualitative data collection methods

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