Reflexivity in Indigenous Research: Reframing and Decolonising Research?

Abstract

Indigenous researchers continuously challenge the structure of western-based research agendas in order to reframe and decolonise research. Integral to an Indigenous research paradigm is an understanding that researchers bring a particular world-view that is predicated on factors such as their gender, culture and socioeconomic status. For non-Indigenous researchers working in an Indigenous context the imperative to understand one's impact and position within the research becomes even more important. This reflective article considers the practice of reflexivity in an Indigenous context and discusses whether it enables the non-Indigenous researcher to contribute to the decolonising and reframing of research. Also considered is whether reflexivity can appear to contribute to reframing research, but still fail to address important issues such as interrogating the researcher's position in relation to the dominant western system of knowledge creation. In this article, I firstly outline an Indigenous research paradigm. Secondly, I make the link between engaging in reflexive practice and an Indigenous context and identify some limitations. Finally, I conclude that reflexivity will only lead to reframing and decolonising research if it also addresses deeper issues such as interrogating the systems of the dominant White culture.