Indigenous Topics

The following information is from a well-researched video on Source Evaluation developed by Rachel Chong at KPU. Find the full video series on Indigenous Information Literacy here: https://libguides.kpu.ca/indigenous/indigenousinformationliteracy. The content below is from the video, Source Evaluation. Please view the video for more details and examples.

Considerations

Selecting material to cite about Indigenous Peoples needs to be done carefully to ensure that you are not perpetuating false information and replicating harmful research practices that are disrespectful of or misrepresent people. Many non-Indigenous people have published material on Indigenous peoples without considering Indigenous Protocols, consulting with the subjects or checking for accuracy.

Indigenous knowledge is not yet represented in Canadian Copyright Law. Indigenous cultural property, such as Oral traditions, clan and family membership, collective ownership, and rules for when and whom information is shared with need to be considered when referencing Indigenous Knowledge. 

Criteria

Date

Gregory Younging, author of Elements of Indigenous Style, recommends using caution when using historical material published before 1990. 

Author

Try to select materials that are written by Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous Peoples are experts on Indigenous experience. Additionally, consider the relationships that the author has to subject they are writing about. 

Research practice

Was the research conducted in a good way? Did the researcher consult with the community or elders? Did they follow Indigenous Protocol? Did they offer anything in reciprocity? Were they able to change their perspective if necessary?