An Indigenous research paradigm is made up of an Indigenous ontology, epistemology, axiology and methodology. These beliefs influence the tools we as researchers use in finding out more about the cosmos.
The shared aspect of an Indigenous ontology and epistemology is relationality: relationships do not merely shape reality, they ARE reality. The shared aspect of an Indigenous axiology and methodology is accountability to relationships.
Elements of an Indigenous Research Paradigm
Indigenous perspective: Relationality: relationships do not merely shape reality, they ARE reality
Indigenous perspective: Relational knowing: knowledge exists in relationships and is constantly being co-created
Indigenous perspective: Relational accountability: we are responsible to all our relations (people, land, cosmos, ideas)
Indigenous perspective: Ceremonial research: methods that honor relationships and maintain accountability
The Four Directions in Research
Set clear intention, identify who you're accountable to, understand the relationships at stake
Conduct research with relational awareness, log activities, maintain ceremony throughout the work
Pause and reflect with the circle, make meaning relationally, extract patterns and wisdom
Synthesize wisdom, prepare for sharing, plant seeds for next cycles, complete the ceremony with gratitude
Relational Accountability in Practice
Accountable to research participants, community, and all human relations involved in or affected by the research
Accountable to the physical spaces, territories, and ecological systems where research takes place
Accountable to spiritual dimensions, ancestors, future generations, and the greater web of existence
Accountable to the knowledge itself, intellectual traditions, and how ideas are shared and lived
Begin Your Ceremony
Use this framework to conduct research that honors relationships and maintains accountability to all your relations: people, land, cosmos, and ideas.
Wilson, S. (2008). Research Is Ceremony: Indigenous Research Methods. Fernwood Publishing.
This portal honors Dr. Wilson's framework and grounds all technical implementations in the principles of relationality and relational accountability described in his work.