Mawkim.org

Indigenous Research Guidelines

Research in Mi’kma’ki must honour more than procedures — it must honour our people, our knowledge, and our responsibilities to future generations. For too long, research was carried out on Indigenous peoples without consent, respect, or benefit. Today, both Mawkim and Mi’kmaw Ethics Watch (MEW) are committed to changing that by ensuring that research is guided by Indigenous values, principles, and protocols.

Mawkim’s role is to collect and steward data in ways that empower Mi’kmaw communities, while MEW ensures that all research involving Mi’kmaw people is reviewed and protected through ethical standards rooted in culture and community. Together, these responsibilities uphold the First Nations principles of OCAP® — Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession — and reinforce that research must always be done with us, for us, and guided by us.

The guidelines below reflect shared Indigenous research values that guide our work: respect for Mi’kmaw worldviews and languages, community-centered processes, reciprocal relationships, and a responsibility to ensure that all research benefits the people it is meant to serve.

1

Honouring Self-Determination

At the foundation of all Indigenous research is the recognition that Mi’kmaq hold the inherent right to govern our own knowledge. Both Mawkim and Mi’kmaw Ethics Watch are built on this principle — ensuring that data is collected, protected, and used in ways that strengthen our communities, uphold OCAP®, and reflect our values.

 

We expect the same from others. Any individual, institution, or partner engaging in research with Mi’kmaq communities must respect this right and follow the ethical standards set by our people.

2

RESPECT

Work with respect for Indigenous worldviews, knowledge systems, traditions, and culture.

3

COMMUNITY-CENTRED APPROACH

A core tenet of Indigenous research, the research process should be community-driven and with the community playing an active role in the process from the very beginning.

4

RELATIONAL UNDERSTANDING

Recognizing the interconnectedness of people, land, spiritual forces, and animals. “All our relations”.

5

RESPECT & RECIPROCITY

Research process should give back to the community in ways that benefit them. This could look like educational opportunities, sharing findings, or providing resources.

6

LANGUAGE

Language is an important part of transmitting knowledge and for maintaining culture. To respect the importance of Indigenous language it would be beneficial, if possible, to conduct research in the language of the community.

7

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

Relationships are at the heart of the process with Indigenous research. Strong, respectful, and reciprocal relationships between the researcher and the community are important and will guide how knowledge is shared, co-created, and applied. This is an important part of the trust building process as Indigenous people have historically been harmed by exploitative research practices. Transparency, honesty, and respect for the community’s needs and concerns are necessary.

Long-Term Engagement is often a major feature of Indigenous research. It is an ongoing process in which researchers are expected to remain accountable to the community long after data is collected. This could look like follow-ups, community presentations, and continued involvement that ensures the research positively impacts the community long-term.

What is Research?

Any research involving Mi’kmaw subjects inside Mi’kma’ki will require MEW review. This includes:

Human Participant Research

All research involving Mi’kmaw participants must be reviewed by MEW. This includes:

  • Clinical trials
  • Behavioral Experiments
  • Medical procedures
  • Interviews
  • Focus Groups
  • Ethnography or Participant Observation
  • Questionnaires
  • Surveys
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Community-based research
  • Participatory Action Research
  • Genetic Studies
  • Storytelling
  • Talking Circles
Indigenous Collective Knowledge

Indigenous Collective Knowledge (ICK) is a term that refers to the traditional, often holistic, understanding and wisdom that Indigenous communities have developed over generations. This knowledge is passed down through stories, oral traditions, ceremonies, and direct experience with the environment. Research involving ICK is diverse, and it spans many disciplines, but often includes the following areas:

  • Health surveys
  • Community well-being assessments
  • Language revitalization studies
  • Land use & traditional knowledge surveys
  • Educational attainment & literacy reports
Research that affects Mi'kmaw Treaty Rights

Research that affects Mi'kmaw Treaty rights spans a wide range of disciplines, from law and governance to environmental science and cultural preservation. Each area of research can contribute to strengthening, protecting, or challenging the recognition and enforcement of Mi'kmaw rights, ensuring that Mi'kmaw people can maintain control over their traditional lands, resources, and cultural practices in accordance with their treaties.

  • Research into the implementation of Mi’kmaw Treaties
  • Land and Resource Use – Fisheries, forestry, hunting rights, environmental impacts
  • Indigenous Governance Systems
  • Land Claims and Treaty Negotiations
Does My Research Require Review?