Relationality as a response to challenges of participatory action research in indigenous contexts: reflections from the field

ABSTRACT

Three researchers share their reflections on the challenges and goodness of fit of using participatory action research (PAR) in studies with indigenous peoples in the United States and Canada. Three central challenges of participatory methodologies are identified: (1) defining what constitutes participation; (2) the extended time required for a PAR study; and (3) researcher positionality. The authors discuss tensions inherent in the western academy when shifting final decision-making authority over research processes away from the academic institution to the indigenous community. A model situating the principles of PAR alongside perspectives and values congruent with the indigenous concept of relationality is presented as a means of mitigating these challenges. This approach aligns PAR principles within culturally-congruent definitions of relationship and encourages researchers to re-imagine participation as a form of relationship, allowing them to engage more deeply and genuinely with indigenous participants.

KEYWORDS:

• Participatory action research
• relationality
• indigenous research methodologies

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. For indigenous participants this speaks to the social justice issues of sovereignty and self-determination.

2. The First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC) has formally registered the combined principles as a trademark. The FNIGC encourages readers to go to their website www.fnigc.ca/ocap for further information regarding the use of OCAP® principles as a standard for conducting research with First Nations.

3. Tribal groups will approach this discussion and interpretive process in ways that are specific to their culture and community; there is no generalized way in which this happens. Being participatory in this phase may require the researcher to step back, rather than direct the process, so that it can unfold organically.