The Talking Stick Way: An Indigenous research methodology for engaging diverse global conversations

Abstract

The Talking Stick Way: An Indigenous research methodology for engaging diverse global conversations

This study explores persistent gaps in knowledge concerning the relevance, presence and benefit of Indigenous research methodologies within non-Indigenous contexts. Investigation, from an Indigenous relational perspective, reveals the topic is far from exhausted and required a deeper and thicker approach; one that disrupts dominate research approaches and western-based mentalities about who should be studying whom. This study was guided by a shared cultural knowledge, the Talking Stick—a mnemonic artifact imbued with an Indigenous philosophy of communication reflecting four values of respect, resilience, reciprocity and responsibility as a theoretical framework. These were operationalized through the creation of the Talking Stick Way—the methodology utilized for this study. Conversations about use of an Indigenous knowledge as a research approach, revealed five critical sub-questions that prompted a two-part study with three sites of inquiry. Mixed-methods were utilized to investigate non-Indigenous researcher practices, the use of the Talking Stick Way within non-Indigenous research, and use of a physical Talking Stick, that resulted in the ‘birth’ of a ‘Signing’ Stick. Results revealed a need for further understanding of what are Indigenous methodologies and researcher self-knowing and ‘teaming’ as non-Indigenous researcher development. These are addressed through the creation of a map, referred to as An Indigenous Way of Doing Research. As well, the definition of community is extended to a global scale which challenges concepts of collaborative research, yet also increases the value of Indigenous researcher skills outside Indigenous contexts. Ultimately this study offers a transformative space for consideration of cross-culture use of Indigenous methodologies and their burgeoning implications for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers that further enables use of a relational worldview for creation of projects in humanization.