Indigenous Community Resources
On this page:
Resources to Ensure Ethical Research with Indigenous Populations
- The Fundamentals of OCAP® Online Course
- The First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC) developed a six-module online course focusing on the principles of OCAP: Ownership (O), Control (C), Access (A), and Possession (P). These principles guide how Canadian First Nations’ research data is collected, protected, used, and shared.
- GIDA – CARE Principles for Indigenous Governance
- The Global Digital Data Alliance (GIDA) has developed a CARE framework for Indigenous research. These standards complement the existing FAIR principles and emphasize the consideration of both people and purpose in Indigenous data governance.
- CCIB – PAIR Indigenous Research Framework
- The Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) offers the Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations (PAIR) online tool and certification program. The program supports progressive improvement in Indigenous relations management and reporting.
- IISH – Indigenous Two-Eyed Seeing Framework
- The Institute for Integrative Science & Health (IISH) shares the “Two-Eyed Seeing” guiding principle, along with other principles, as a framework for Indigenous research. This link takes you to a video, presentations, and publications about this concept.
- University of Victoria – Protocols & Principles for Conducting Research in an Indigenous Context
- This guide focuses on protocols and principles for conducting research in an Indigenous context and the implications for research.
- CIHI – Guidance and Standards for Race-based and Indigenous Identity Data
- The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) has produced a guide sharing standards for the collection of race-based and Indigenous identity in research.
- Simon Fraser University – IPinCH Indigenous Research Ethics
- The Intellectual Property Issues in Cultural Heritage (IPinCH) research project is an international collaboration of archaeologists, Indigenous organizations, lawyers, anthropologists, ethicists, policymakers, and others, working to explore and facilitate fair and equitable exchanges of knowledge related to heritage. Within this website, you will find events, presentations, videos, blogs, publications and more related to Indigenous research ethics.
- Canadian Indigenous Nurses Association – Research Involving the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples of Canada
- A chapter dedicated to establishing an ethical space for dialogue on shared interests and points of difference between researchers and Indigenous communities engaged in research.
Indigenous Research Methods + Practices Resources
- Toolbox of Research Principles in an Aboriginal Context: Ethics, Respect, Fairness, Reciprocity, Collaboration and Culture
- This 235-page tool explores various research principles in the context of Canadian and International Aboriginal communities. The guide adapts to the needs of different communities (First Nations, academics, students, researchers, and public administrators) regarding research ethics.
- Ithaka S+R – When Research is Relational: Supporting the Research Practices of Indigenous Studies Scholars
- A comprehensive report about Ithaka S+R’s project that explores the changing research methods and practices of Indigenous Studies scholars across Canada, the U.S., and Hawai‘i to identify services to better support them in ways that are also beneficial to Indigenous communities.
- ITK and NRI – Negotiating Research Relationships with Inuit Communities: A Guide for Researchers
- Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) and the Nunavut Research Institute (NRI) collaborated on a research guide that shares best practices for developing research relationships with Inuit communities.
- University of Manitoba – Indigenous Health: Indigenous Research Methods
- This webpage provides resources for Indigenous Health research, including books, articles, Manitoba resources, and videos.
Tri-Council Guidance + Expectations for Indigenous Research
- Tri-Council Policy Statement Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans
- This is a Tri-Council report that expands on ethical conduct for human research; chapter nine is dedicated to research involving First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples of Canada.
- NSERC – Dimensions Charter
- The Dimensions Charter is modelled after Athena SWAN, which was introduced in the United Kingdom in 2005. Canada's charter includes eight principles to welcome and engage diverse perspectives and experiences, including Indigenous Peoples, racialized groups, people with disabilities and the LGBTQ+ community.
- NSERC – CCI guide for research involving Indigenous Peoples and communities
- guide was written by the College and Community Innovation (CCI) program of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The purpose of the guide is to share best practices and protocols for supporting research led by and respectfully engaging Indigenous nations, communities, societies, and individuals.
External University Library Subject Guides for Indigenous Research
- University of British Columbia – Indigenous Research Library Subject Guide
- webpage provides an overview of concepts related to Indigenous research methodologies, research ethics, cultural and intellectual property.
- University of Winnipeg – Indigenous Studies Library Subject Guide
- University of Winnipeg Indigenous Studies library webpage shares Indigenous research resources, including tools for Indigenous data sovereignty.
Indigenous Resource Hubs
- University of British Columbia – Indigenous Research Support Initiative: Resources for Researchers
- webpage is a compilation of research tools to support Indigenous research, including best practices, reports, videos, and other resources.
- University of Saskatchewan – Indigenous Studies Portal (I-Portal)
- portal provides information on several Indigenous studies topics and types of resources, including articles, videos, oral histories, government publications, and archival documents and photographs, with over 70,000 resources available. U of S created this tool for faculty, students, researchers, and members of the community with a focus on Indigenous peoples of Canada. Its secondary focus is on Indigenous Peoples outside Canada, such as the United States, Australia, and Aotearoa (New Zealand) etc.
- CCDI – Resource & Reports Hub
- Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI)’s mandate is the building of a more inclusive Canada. As such, they offer numerous resources for this purpose, including Indigenous educational guides and other tools.
- HSS – Resource Hub
- Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) has established a resource hub that shares thousands of blog posts, articles, videos, and other resources, including Indigenous content.