Indigenous Research Methodologies

Abstract Indigenous people have long sought to observe, understand, and comprehend how their world operates. Indigenous scholars have begun to formalize their ontological understandings of the world by applying Indigenous research methodologies within the social sciences. Since the early 2000s, Indigenous research methods have been experiencing exponential growth. This encompasses a variety of methodological approaches, including centering Indigenous knowledge through relational accountability, storywork, counter-mapping, and Indigenous archaeology. These methods provide an alternative research approach, encouraging scholars to embrace relational, respectful, and responsible practices when conducting research with and on behalf of tribal and Indigenous communities. Anthropologists and archaeologists have employed various Indigenous research methods to better integrate Indigenous knowledge, traditions, and perspectives into their studies. Ultimately, Indigenous research methodologies are grounded in Indigenous traditional knowledge, intertwining the relational principles that guide research practices.