Resources and Guides for Indigenous Research

Resources and guides for Indigenous research

The University of Waterloo is committed to broadening and deepening research through familiarizing faculty with Indigenous paradigms and practices which might differ from those normally pursued across the University. Indigenous research theories, methodologies and practices add to Waterloo’s innovative and impactful research necessary for responding to global challenges.

Partnership with Indigenous communities should be at the centre of Indigenous research processes as the University moves forward to reflect its values and culture more accurately. Waterloo adheres to the principles of ownership, control, access, and possession (OCAP™) for conducting research in partnership with First Nations, and for the governance of First Nations Information. Embracing Indigenous research practices means becoming more respectful of Indigenous Ways of Knowing and cultural protocols. It also means encouraging more robust collaboration with Indigenous communities with respect to research, based on mutually beneficial exchange, as well as enhanced concentration, where appropriate, on areas that are priorities for Indigenous communities.

Indigenous paradigms and practices require researcher commitment to a longer-term program, often necessitating a shift in cultural attitudes to be more receptive to Indigenous research methodologies. The resources and guides below offer the first step in an on-going program of Indigenous research.

Indigenization and Indigenous Research at Waterloo

• Indigenous Research and Researchers at the University of Waterloo
• About territorial acknowledgement at the University of Waterloo
• The Indigenous Strategic Plan, 2023-2028
• Six Nations Land and Resources
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action

Offices and Working Groups Leading Indigenous Initiatives at Waterloo

• Indigenous Initiatives, Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion Office
• Waterloo Indigenous Student’s Centre
• UW Library Indigenous Research Guide
• UW Office of Research Ethics - Research with Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous Research Training Opportunities

• Indigenous Initiatives training opportunities are available through the Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion Office
• CIHR training module Research Involving First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples of Canada
• Queen’s University’s Indigenous Community Research Partnerships online open education training resource 

Guidance on Embedding Indigenous Considerations in Research Design

• Tri-Council Policy Statement II Chapter 9: Research Involving First Nations, Inuit and Metis Peoples
• Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) tools supporting Indigenous research design
• SSHRC Guidelines for the Merit Review of Indigenous Research
• Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHR) Guide for Health Research Involving Aboriginal People 
• First Nations Information Governance Centre Ownership, Control, Access and Possession (OCAP™): The Path to First Nations Information Governance 
• Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres USAI Research Framework: Utility, Self-Voicing, Access, Inter-relationality
• Nunavut Research Institute and Inuit Tapirisat of Canada Negotiating Research Relationships: a Guide for Communities
• Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami National Inuit Strategy on Research
• Government of Canada Setting New Directions to Support Indigenous Research and Research Training in Canada

Indigenous Research Ethics and Data Management

• National Aboriginal Health Organization/ Metis Centre Principles of Ethical Métis Research
• Tri-Council Policy Statement II Chapter 9: Research Involving First Nations, Inuit and Metis Peoples
• Assembly of First Nations Ethics Guide on Research and Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge
• Association of Canadian Universities for Northern Studies Ethical Principles for the Conduct of Research in the North
• CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance (GIDA – The Global Indigenous Data Alliance) 

Select Readings on Indigenous Research Methodologies

• Drawson, A. S. , Toombs, E. , Mushquash, C. J. "Indigenous Research Methods: A Systematic Review." The International Indigenous Policy Journal, 2017; 8(2).
• Sylvestre, P., Castleden, H., Martin, D., & McNally, M. (2017). "Thank You Very Much. You Can Leave Our Community Now.”: Geographies of Responsibility, Relational Ethics, Acts of Refusal, and the Conflicting Requirements of Academic Localities in Indigenous Research. ACME: An International Journal for Critical Geographies, 17(3), 750–779. Retrieved from https://acme-journal.org/index.php/acme/article/view/1327
• Institute for Integrative Science and Health. Two-eyed Seeing resources.
• Levac, L., McMurty, L., Steinstra, D., Baikie, G., Hanson, C., and D. Mucina. "Learning Across Indigenous and Western Knowledge Systems: Reconciling Social Science Research Approaches." University of Guelph, 2018.
• Ray, L. "Deciphering the 'Indigenous' in Indigenous Methodologies." AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, 2012; 8(1), 85–98.
• Toombs, E. , Drawson, A. S. , Chambers, L. , Bobinski, T. L. , Dixon, J. , Mushquash, C. J. Moving Towards an Indigenous Research Process: A Reflexive Approach to Empirical Work With First Nations Communities in Canada. The International Indigenous Policy Journal, 2009;10(1)

Questions on Indigenous Initiatives at Waterloo?

Please contact Jean Becker, Senior Director, Indigenous Initiatives