Indigenous Research Ethics

Building ethical relationships and research partnerships with Indigenous communities takes time. Researchers who wish to engage in research with Indigenous peoples are encouraged to learn about the research priorities of specific communities, and design research collaboratively from the start rather than invite the community members to participate in a project that has already been shaped.

Conducting research in a good way involves reciprocity, shared decision-making, respect of Indigenous knowledge, and fulfilment of specific responsibilities towards the Indigenous communities, based on their unique needs, values, and cultures.

Ownership, Control, Access and Possession

The Indigenous research-related work of the Office of Indigenous Initiatives and Queen’s Indigenous Council follows the principles of OCAP: Ownership, Control, Access and Possession (First Nations Information Governance Centre, 2018), which reflect how First Nations data should be collected, protected, used, or shared in a way that is beneficial to Indigenous communities.

Several other Indigenous governance bodies and organizations have developed guiding documents that offer insights into ethical conduct of research in specific communities. Some examples include the Research Principles and Guidelines for Researchers Conducting Research With and/or Among Mi’kmaw People (Mi’kmaw Ethics Watch, 2000), the USAI Research Framework (Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres, 2012), the Principles of Ethical Métis Research (National Aboriginal Health Organization, 2011) and the National Inuit Strategy on Research (Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, 2018).

“Indigenous Community Research Partnerships” is a useful training resource, developed by a team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars, to provide guidance on how to conduct research that reflects, advances, and meets expectations for ethical, collaborative, and culturally supportive engagement with Inuit, Métis and First Nations individuals and communities.