Questioning Indigenous Knowledge Sources

Questions you should ask yourself when determining if a resource on Indigenous Knowledge is a credible source and as such a worthy read. Too many “nos” is a sure indication that you should find a different resource.

1. Does the writer have any formal education or credentials on the topic?

2. Is the work clearly rooted in an Indigenous research paradigm?

3. Do they take the time to define Indigenous knowledge?

4. Are they talking about their own Indigenous knowledge?

5. Does the author locate themselves in their writing?

6. Do they pay homage to the pioneers?

7. Do they acknowledge and respect their teachers?

8. What is the duration of the research and is it reasonable?

9. Is the resource more than just a literature review?

10. If it is based on a literature review, are the research parameters clearly stated such as search terms, data bases, and time period of review?

11. Are their sources reputable knowers, journals, and books?

12.  Is the theoretical framework and/or methodology explicitly stated?

13.  Is the work peer-reviewed?

14. Does the work rely on an acceptable and current formatting style that is completed in a professional and consistent way?

15. Is the resource published through a known venue?

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Lynn Gehl, Ph.D. is an Algonquin Anishinaabe-kwe from the Ottawa River Valley.  She has a section 15 Charter challenge regarding the continued sex discrimination in The Indian Act, and is an outspoken critic of the Ontario Algonquin land claims and self-government process.  She has three books: Anishinaabeg Stories: Featuring Petroglyphs, Petrographs, and Wampum Belts, The Truth that Wampum Tells: My Debwewin of the Algonquin Land Claims Process, and Mkadengwe: Sharing Canada's Colonial Process through Black Face Methodology. You can reach her at lynngehl@gmail.com and see more of her work at www.lynngehl.com.

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