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DCS Research Circles

November 05, 2019

Indigenous Research Methods 

According to Kovach (2009), there is a range of ways to access information within Indigenous research. There is a variety of methods used to collect this information ranging from storytelling to research circles, conversations, and journaling. Open structured conversations demonstrated a reverence for the participants’ narrative and provided the participants with greater control of what they wish to share regarding the research. Sharing circles or more recently utilized Research-sharing circles help the researcher amass data in academic and applied research; this process is grounded in cultural tradition. In addition, journaling provides an opportunity for reflection. Moreover, this can be a means of measuring and documenting knowing; a meaning making process. Indigenous forms of knowledge will test Western research methods and its ability to employ this Indigenous knowledge on their own terms. 

In addition, our research will incorporate Indigenous research methods. Our research will use a variety of methods to collect information surrounding student sense of belonging. Researchers and participants will participate in research circles, conversations, and journaling. Open structured conversations will be used to collect participants’ narrative, sharing circles will be used to collect data in a traditional way, and journaling will provide an opportunity for researcher and participant reflection. Moreover, Kovach (2009) states, that many that many cultural groups participate in an act of sitting in a circle as a communal means of decision-making. Similar to open conversations this method empowers personal narrative. This process has now been adapted to modern research. This can be a means of measuring and documenting student sense of belonging in our schoolThus, it is imperative that we have a traditional means of carrying out research circles. That is why we have asked for the funding to purchase a Tipi for our data collection. The Tipi will be used as an integral part of collecting student sense of belonging data through ceremony. 

Kovach, M. (2009). Indigenous methodologies; Characteristics, conversations, and contexts.  

Toronto, ON: University of Toronto Press. 


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