The Ethics of Research and Indigenous Peoples

Abstract

For several centuries, Indigenous peoples around the world have been “subjects” of research by western academics who considered themselves to be authoritative and objective scientists. Therefore, research became a “dirty word” for many Indigenous peoples, seemingly more focused on our deficits and reinforcing negative stereotypes. From the late 1970s, however, Indigenous and other marginalized groups began protesting their lack of rights with regard to research, and closed borders against non-Indigenous researchers, to the strident objection of many. In New Zealand, notions of ethical research arose with the Cartwright Inquiry (1987–1988), development of institutional ethics committees, with the requirement of having Māori members on health-related ethics committees. Today the legitimacy of Indigenous research and Indigenous research methodologies is recognized in many countries, although challenges remain. Indigenous researchers claim the right to develop and enact research ethics based on the premises and cultural mores from within which they research. This chapter will explore an Indigenous research project, associated ethical challenges, and their amelioration, through the utilization of Indigenous cultural knowledges.