Matute-Villagrana 1

Nicole Matute-Villagrana

Professor J. Sanchez-Martinez

AIIS 200.01

3 May 2019

Building Bridges: An Exploration and Analyzation of Non-Native Research Methodology &

Interactions with Indigenous Communities and Scholars

The inappropriate interjection into Indigenous communities and spaces of academia done

by non-Native scholars, while common, is not often discussed. Too often are research studies

concerning issues of importance to Indigenous populations not completed by or with the

permission of these very Native people. The Native perspective has purposely been stifled in

Western academia through carefully connotated research studies that, whether intentionally or

not, contribute to the existence of neocolonial tendencies in modern society. (Wolfe, 2016)

Solutions to bridge, or at least establishing a working relationship, the Native and Western

knowledge and research methodologies has been proposed by a multitude of Indigenous

scholars; the expectation and responsibility of non-Natives is to acknowledge and implement

these practices and aid in the decolonization efforts of Indigenous communities today.

This paper intends to explore the current effects the history of exploitation by non-Native

scholars of Indigenous knowledge and communities in Western research studies, as well as

identifying and analyzing commentary on possible solutions composed by contemporary

Indigenous academics. The concentration of this research is on analyzing how the negative

aspects of voluntourism in Indigenous communities and the concept of ‘damage-centered’

research completed by non-Native scholars affect Indigenous research method frameworks. The

proposed research question(s) of this work is: How does the publishing of irresponsible research
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conducted by non-Natives concerning Indigenous issues & knowledge contribute to the stalling

of decolonization efforts in Indigenous communities by Native scholars themselves? What

contemporary solutions composed by Indigenous scholars exist in supporting decolonization

efforts in their own communities and suggestions for non-Natives to respectfully be a part of

reconciliation through research? This research has been completed entirely by a non-Native

individual and in no manner intends to speak over Native perspectives, people, and experiences.

One of the first problematic tendencies that non-Native researchers commit is the reliance

of ‘damage-centered’ research topics. This research has been described as “research that

operates, even benevolently, from a theory of change that establishes harm or injury in order to

achieve reparation.” (Tuck, 2009) In this type of research, only the issues that affect

disenfranchised communities in a negative manner are discussed and individuals are depicted as

broken or damaged. The solution to prevent falling into the trap of producing ‘damage-centered’

research is to instead focus on ‘desire-based’ research; that is, simultaneously attempting to

understand and document the historical and cultural context behind systems of Indigenous

oppression, while also ensuring that contemporary Indigenous communities are not trivialized

and portrayed as being ‘traditionally and culturally primal.’ (Tuck, 2009) Instead, a more

respectful Native research methodology that non-Native scholars could include, focusing on

sharing the positive research coming out of those communities by Native scholars themselves to

maintain the leadership and ownership of decolonization efforts within the community. (Craven,

2016)

Another common issue that comes along with producing ‘damage-centered’ research is

the problem of overshadowing, or not listening to, Native voices and perspectives. A lack of

collaboration with local and willing tribe members condemns a research study’s intended
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purpose of assisting the Native community as obsolete and unattainable. As non-Natives, a role

in the fight for the overdue just and equitable treatment of indigenous people, communities,

traditions, and cosmologies does exist; it is simply one that requires patience, respect, and a keen

sense of responsibility. As explained in an excerpt from Eve Tuck (2006): “desire-based research

frameworks are concerned with understanding complexity, contradiction, and the self-

determination of lived lives.” Many consider the switch from damage-centered research to a

desire-based research framework to be a possible resolution in aiding the prevention of any

potential maladies resulting from incorrectly produced research on Indigenous culture. (Craven

et al., 2016)

It is also important to recognize the history of exploitation between non-Native

researchers and Indigenous community members. Residing in a country whose foundational

beginnings depended entirely upon the development, implementation, and preservation of

oppressive systems or legislature with the purpose of disenfranchising minority populations

entrusts every non-Native identifying citizen with the responsibility of remaining aware of the

history of the traditional land one inhabits and the neocolonial effects that these historical events

thrust upon Indigenous communities, which they continue to face today.

The issue of voluntourism involves tourist entering communities with the intent to

provide some form of voluntary work; this is often completed in the form of physical labor, like

for example building orphanages or community resource centers. While the intent of the tourist’s

trip may not always be explicitly malicious, certain behaviors must be analyzed and determined

to be either beneficial or harmful to Indigenous communities. (Kushner, 2016) In Indigenous

communities, entire cultures are romanticized by voluntourists who believe native populations to
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be underdeveloped. The term ‘white savior complex’ comes to mind; individuals who complete

mission trips with self-serving intents.

The publishing of irresponsible research conducted by non-Natives concerning

Indigenous issues & knowledge prohibits Native scholars from producing and sharing important

research that directly affects their communities. A research study completed without the explicit

consent and/or contributions of the tribe or community in question can only result in

methodology that induces some level of oppression towards Native people. As all colleges and

universities in the United States currently reside on Native land, it is the responsibility of our

country’s inhabitants, institutions of influence on US soil, and both federal and state government

agencies to aid in decolonization efforts led by Native scholars.

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Works Cited

Atkinson, Paul, and Anne Ryen. "Indigenous Research and Romantic Nationalism." Society, vol. 6,

no. 4, 21 Nov. 2016.

Brown, Ryan A., et al. "Cultural Identity Among Urban American Indian/Alaska Native Youth:

Implications for Alcohol and Drug Use." Prev Sci, 23 July 2016.

Craven, Rhonda G., et al. "Toward a positive psychology of indigenous thriving and reciprocal

research partnership model." Contemporary Educational Psychology, 14 Apr. 2016. Science

Direct.

Johnson, Shelly (Mukwa Musayett). "Indigenizing Higher Education and the Calls to Action

Awakening To Personal, Political, And Academic Responsibilities." Canadian Social Work

Review, vol. 33, no. 1, 2016.

Kushner, Jacob. "The Voluntourist’s Dilemma." The New York Times Magazine, 22 Mar. 2016.

Smith, Linda Tuhiwai . Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples. Zed

Books, 1999.

Tuck, Eve. "Suspending Damage: A Letter to Communities." Harvard Educational Review, vol. 79,

no. 3, Fall 2009.

Wolfe, Patrick. "Settler colonialism and the elimination of the native." Journal of Genocide

Research, vol. 8, no. 4, Dec. 2016.