LibGuides: Indigenous Topics: Indigenous Research Ethics

Indigenous Research Ethics Guideline Resources

Indigenous Research Ethics: A Decolonial Approach
Mimi Gellman presents "Indigenous Research Ethics: A Decolonial Approach" (2021) as part of "Conducting Creative Research," a collaborative series between Emily Carr University of Art and Design (ECU) and OCAD University (OCAD U). The series explores themes around responsible conduct in art and design research.
TCPS 2 (2022) – Chapter 9: Research Involving the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples of Canada
This chapter on research involving Indigenous peoples in Canada, including Indian (First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, marks a step toward establishing an ethical space for dialogue on common interests and points of difference between researchers and Indigenous communities engaged in research.
First Nations Governance Information Centre: OCAP Principles
The First Nations principles of ownership, control, access, and possession – more commonly known as OCAP® – assert that First Nations have control over data collection processes, and that they own and control how this information can be used.
Indigenous Cultural Safety and Anti-Racism in Research
To ensure that research is culturally safe for Indigenous researchers and research participants, and that systemic racism is addressed in all phases of academic research, the BC Network Environment for Indigenous Health Research has published a framework on cultural safety to address the harm, discrimination and barriers that continue to impact Indigenous research. Indigenous Cultural Safety in Research Framework (2022) by Tara Erb and Charlotte Loppie.
On-Screen Protocols & Pathways by ImagineNATIVE (2019)
ON-SCREEN PROTOCOLS & PATHWAYS: A Media Production Guide to Working with First Nations, Métis and Inuit Communities, Cultures, Concepts and Stories. Ethics in Media Production Involving Indigenous Content and People. Although creative practices and media productions may not require research ethics review and approval, there are ethical considerations that must be addressed when involving First Nations and Indigenous content and communities in creative productions including media works. On-Screen Protocols & Pathways by ImagineNATIVE (2019) describes some of the expectations for ethical engagement of Indigenous topics and people in media productions.
Think Before You Appropriate: A Guide for Creators and Designers
People and cultures have always exchanged and borrowed ideas from each other to create new forms of art and symbolic expression. Whether intentionally or not, most if not all human creations reflect varied sources of inspiration.
Why, then, are some products negatively labelled “cultural appropriation” or their creators accused of disrespecting the very cultures they found inspiring? And why do products inspired from Indigenous cultural heritage seem to spark particularly strong reactions and pushback? This guide unpacks these important questions. It provides advice to designers and marketers on why and how to avoid misappropriation, and underlines the mutual benefits of responsible collaborations with Indigenous artists and communities.
Bringing Ethics Review Home to Cowichan: Indigenizing Ethics Review in British Columbia, Canada
Cowichan Tribes. “Bringing Ethics Review Home to Cowichan: Indigenizing Ethics Review in British Columbia, Canada.” International Journal of Indigenous Health 16, no. 2 (July 2021): 70–119. https://doi.org/10.32799/ijih.v16i2.33099.
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Abstract: Cowichan Tribes’ territory, located in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, is experiencing an alarmingly high rate of preterm births compared to the national average of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. In response, and in partnership with the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), Cowichan Tribes is in the first year of a 3-year study to investigate causes. Cowichan Tribes’ Elders and community members are guiding the study to ensure it follows Cowichan Tribes’ research processes and to support self- determination in research. Furthermore, as a way to enhance reconciliation, Elders and community members guided an on-site ethics review on Cowichan Tribes territory. This article outlines the collaborative, in-person research ethics review process that Cowichan Tribes, Island Health, and FNHA completed on August 21, 2019. The purpose of this article is to provide suggestions other First Nations could use when conducting a research ethics review, and to explain how this process aligns with the principles of ownership, control, access, and possession (OCAP®), the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and above all, the Cowichan snuw’uy’ulh (teachings from Elders).
The Ethical Space of Engagement
Ermine, Willie. “The Ethical Space of Engagement.” Indigenous Law Journal 6, no. 1 (2007): 193–203. https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/bitstream/1807/17129/1/ILJ-6.1-Ermine.pdf
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Abstract: The “ethical space” is formed when two societies, with disparate worldviews, are poised to engage each other. It is the thought about diverse societies and the space in between them that contributes to the development of a framework for dialogue between human communities. The ethical space of engagement proposes a framework as a way of examining the diversity and positioning of Indigenous peoples and Western society in the pursuit of a relevant discussion on Indigenous legal issues and particularly to the fragile intersection of Indigenous law and Canadian legal systems. standards and the emergence of new rules of engagement through recent Supreme Court rulings call for a new approach to Indigenous-Western dealings. The new partnership model of the ethical space, in a cooperative spirit between Indigenous peoples and Western institutions, will create new currents of thought that flow in different directions of legal discourse and overrun the archaic ways of interaction.

Mimi Gellman: Indigenous Research Ethics: A Decolonial Approach

Mimi Gellman: Indigenous Research Ethics: A Decolonial Approach

In this presentation, Dr. Mimi Gellman shares her research ethics journey from her masters degree, to PhD, and then as faculty member on the Research Ethics Board at Emily Carr University. She questions whether TCPS2 Chapter 9: Research Involving the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples of Canada, adequately addresses the rights and research paradigms outlined in UNDRIP article 31: "Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain, control, protect and develop their cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions..." (UNDRIP p 22).

This presentation is a part of a collaborative series between Emily Carr University of Art and Design (ECU) and OCAD University (OCAD U). The series explores themes around responsible conduct in art and design research. The Conducting Creative Research events were made possible with a SRCR Education and Training Support (SETS) Grant from the Secretariat on Responsible Conduct of Research through the Panel on Research Ethics (PRE) and the Panel on Responsible Conduct (PRCR) of Research on behalf of the three federal research granting agencies: The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

Julie Bull: Refuse, Relate, Return: Decolonial practices in process

Refuse, Relate, Return: Decolonial practices in process: Research Ethics are not separate from how-you-live-your-life ethics

Julie Bull presents an approach to Indigenous research ethics learned from her land-based experiences combined with academic research in the field of research ethics. Bull advocates for a respectful and relational approach. This presentation was recorded as part of "Conducting Creative Research," a 2021 collaborative series between Emily Carr University of Art and Design (ECU) and OCAD University (OCAD U). The series explores themes around responsible conduct in art and design research.

Acknowledgement of Bias in Library + Archives Descriptive Language

The Library + Archives at Emily Carr University of Art + Design aims to create records – including archival descriptions, finding aids, library catalogue records and other metadata – that are inclusive, respectful and do not cause harm to those who interact with our collections. This includes those who create, use, and are represented in the collections we care for. We acknowledge that our existing descriptions and records may contain language that is racist, colonial, homophobic, ableist, or that uses other offensive terms that may cause harm. This language may reflect original titles or terms applied by the creators/authors. It may also have been created by previous stewards or ECU staff since acquisition.

Certain parts of the ECU collection contain historical language and content, for example, language used to refer to racial and cultural groups. This language reflects the time period in which these materials were created and provide insight into the view of their creator(s). These items retain their original descriptions to ensure that attitudes and viewpoints are not erased from the historical record. When possible, ECU provides additional descriptive information to provide context and background about these records. Additionally, the ECU Library + Archives questions the hierarchical and othering language promoted through subject terms and is working to update and implement terminology that promotes inclusive and accurate access to materials.

The ECU Library + Archives team is dedicated to minimizing harm through continual reflection and reparations in our language and systems. Reparative archival description and cataloguing is iterative work, and descriptive language preferences and needs will change over time. New and ongoing work in this area is indicated in our archival finding aids through the use of square brackets indicating the archivists/staff voice and through descriptive notes in the library catalogue and archives database.

We welcome feedback from our patrons regarding archival description and library catalogue records by email at library@ecuad.ca, in person or by phone at 604-844-3840. Feel free to leave us an anonymous voicemail.

* ECU Library + Archives is grateful to the following organizations who have crafted meaningful bias statements. We echo their thinking and work, and have borrowed language and built upon their words and efforts.

Yale University
Duke University
Library + Archives Canada
Stanford University Libraries

(May 2022)

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Indigenous Research Ethics Guideline Resources

Mimi Gellman: Indigenous Research Ethics: A Decolonial Approach

Julie Bull: Refuse, Relate, Return: Decolonial practices in process

Acknowledgement of Bias in Library + Archives Descriptive Language