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Indigenous Research Methodologies

Indigenous Research Methodologies encompass a range of approaches based on the values, traditions and knowledge systems of Indigenous peoples. Standpoint theory plays a crucial role in Indigenous Research Methodologies, emphasising the researcher’s positionality and perspective, ensuring that Indigenous voices and perspectives are central to the research process, rather than peripheral or interpreted through a non-Indigenous lens.

Further stand-point theory insists that knowledge is socially situated and that marginalised groups, such as Indigenous peoples, possess unique and valuable insights based on lived experiences (Moreton-Robinson 2013).

Indigenous Research Methodologies are unique to each Indigenous person and community of peoples based on relationality where Indigenous ways of doing, being and knowing are integral to the production of new knowledge.

Recognising Indigenous Research Methodologies

Recognising Indigenous Research Methodologies is vital for:

  • empowering Indigenous communities by recognising and confirming Indigenous intellectual and cultural contributions to research
  • encouraging critical thinking about the power dynamics and biases in Western research methodologies
  • supporting the development of culturally relevant teaching practices that engage and empower Indigenous students
  • enriching academic disciples by incorporating a variety of perspectives and approaches in axiologies, epistemologies and ontologies
  • promoting ethical research practices that respect and value the contributions of Indigenous communities.

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Some Indigenous knowledges presented may not be representative of all Indigenous peoples but may be reflective of a particular Indigenous standpoint drawn from the nuance of Country and individual experience.

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