Politics of Research in Indigenous Communities: Tensions, Past Crimes, and Indigenous Futurities

Session Type: Invited Speaker Session

Abstract

“Research” in respect to Indigenous peoples carries a troubling history of benefiting settler desires to know and to control. Research following settler agendas rarely recognizes the sovereignty of Indigenous peoples over research that takes place in their lands, on their bodies, and shapes their futurities. Seldom did Research benefit Indigenous communities. However there been a growing need for sound, defensible data and research centered on Indigenous communities that will support and inform the policy development of tribal leaders, organizations, and Congress. This session draws together panelists from the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) to complicate the tensions and past crimes in research on Indigenous communities and share creative possibilities for ethical and community accountable future research centered on Indigenous sovereignty.

Sub Unit

• Division B - Curriculum Studies

Presenters

• Malia Villegas, National Congress of American Indians Policy Research Center

• Sarah Cline Pytalski

• Amber D Ebarb

• Deana Around Him, National Congress of American Indians