LibGuides: Research Ethics + Conduct: Indigenous Research Ethics

Resources on Indigenous Research

Indigenous Research Ethics Guidelines
Principles Guiding Indigenous Research Ethics at ECU

In a Good Way: Principles Guiding Indigenous Research Ethics at Emily Carr University
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.
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.
Memorial University: Ethical Research involving Indigenous Peoples Resources
Provides links to resources on ethical research involving Indignenous Peoples
Indigenous Research Support Initiative (IRSI)
When research practices are based on respectful relationships between researchers and Indigenous communities, the results include more effective research, greater mutual understanding and meaningful outcomes. IRSI supports researchers through each step of Indigenous community-based research.
British Columbia Network Environment for Indigenous Health Research
Funded by the CIHR Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health (IIPH), the BC NEIHR is one of nine Indigenous-led networks across Canada that support research leadership among Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) communities, collectives and organizations (ICCOs). The purpose of the Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research Program is to establish a national network of centres focused on capacity development, research and knowledge translation (KT). This network of centres provide supportive research environments for Indigenous health research led by, and grounded in, Indigenous communities in Canada.

In a Good Way: Principles Guiding Indigenous Research Ethics at Emily Carr University

Emily Carr University Research Ethics Board (ECU-REB) supports respectful Indigenous research practices. We acknowledge that unethical research practices and cultural appropriation have caused direct harm to Indigenous people and communities, and distrust of university-based research. We want to move forward to create something better, and we want Indigenous research to be conducted in a good way. Indigenous research ethics reviews at Emily Carr are done respectfully, honouring the complexity and diversity of Nation-specific protocols, ways of knowing, being, and making.

Inspired by Coast Salish potlatch, the ECU-REB invites those impacted by research to be heard. It honours ethics review and guidance from Indigenous communities, collectives and organizations. Research conducted on Indigenous knowledge, territories, topics, and with Indigenous people and communities may involve rights holders, accountabilities, risks, and benefits that are specific to communities, territories, and traditions.

The board is committed to Indigenous research expertise in all reviews involving Indigenous content or peoples. The ECU-REB follows guidance provided by First Nations Governance Council’s (FNIGC) OCAP® principles for data management (ownership, control, access, and possession), BC Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP), the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada’s Final Report, trauma-informed research guidelines, as well as the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS2) Chapter 9 “Research Involving the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples of Canada”, among others.

The ECU-REB acknowledges and thanks the committee of members who took on the drafting and revisions to this statement. They included, Dr. Mimi Gellman, Aaron Nelson-Moody (Squamish), Nick Conbere, Martin Rose, Ana Diab, and Coordinator, Lois Klassen. (2022)

Research Ethics + Conduct

Resources on Indigenous Research

In a Good Way: Principles Guiding Indigenous Research Ethics at Emily Carr University

Audio recording of In a Good Way: Principles Guiding Indigenous Research Ethics at Emily Carr University, read by Kajola Moorewood.