Participatory Research Methods Participatory Research Methods A study of the Sun Dance Movement among the Diné. Shonto Begay

Aleticia K.S. Tijerina, Ph.D.  Maternal Odawa/French  Paternal Mexican  Northern Arizona University  Creative Writer –Off Off Broadway –“Notes on Oppression and Violence” Gloria Anzaldua’s “Making Face/Making Soul”

Objectives Today  Introduce some Indigenous research language  Raise some research questions pertaining to research in Indigenous communities  Tell a Tale –Inductive reasoning

Themes and questions  Who is Indigenous?  What is Indigenous Knowledge?  Who “owns” Indigenous knowledge?  Code of Indigenous Ethics

WHO IS INDIGENOUS?

Indigenous  Australia three legal 'tests' determine if person is Indigenous:  Australia three legal 'tests' determine if person is Indigenous: –Be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, –Identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person –Be recognized as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander by other Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people

Indigenous  International language uses a different test set forth in a number of Indigenous international instruments, i.e. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Nations uses these ‘tests’ –Self identification at individual level –Accepted at community level –Historical continuity with pre-colonial or pre-settlers societies –Strong link to territories and surrounding natural resources –Distinct social, political or economic systems –Distinct language, culture and beliefs –Form non-dominate groups –Resolve to maintain and reproduce their ancestral environments and systems as distinct peoples and communities

What is Indigenous Knowledge? And who ‘owns’ it

Indigenous Knowledge  Indigenous knowledge (IK) is local knowledge  Knowledge that is unique to a given culture or society  IK contrasts with the international knowledge systems generated by universities, research institutions and private firms  It is the basis for local level decision-making in agriculture, health care, food preparation, education, natural-resource management, and a host of other activities in rural communities.  (Warren 1991

Indigenous Knowledge belongs to Indigenous Peoples belongs to Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous Peoples who belong  Communities  Societies  Nations  Pre-colonized  Pre-Settler States  Distinct political, social and economic systems  Distinct language, culture and beliefs  Form non-dominate groups  Resolve to maintain and reproduce their ancestral environments and systems as distinct peoples and communities

Who owns Indigenous knowledge ? Public (publications) Private (patents) Community (local)

Researchers bond to code of ethics  General –Institutions  TESC –NGOs  Morningstar Institute –Private Practices  Newspapers

Researchers among Indigenous Communities Are ethically bond to new, emerging sets Of research protocols, codes and laws Produced by Native nations And Indigenous Peoples Governing research Among Indigenous Peoples Baje Whitethorne

Tell the Tale The Sacred Sun Dance Ceremony Courtesy of Bahe Katenay