The Indigenous Truth of Oral History

Abstract

“Oral History in Indigenous Articulation” is the concluding chapter of the book. In summary, it highlights how existing oral history theory, politics, methods, and ethics may be largely different, but are not without some resonance to indigenous perspectives. It suggests a decolonizing approach to oral history rather than a simplistic democratizing politics. This chapter emphasizes the importance of rethinking oral history and tradition with the inclusion of indigenous knowledges regarding the form of oral sources, culturally relevant and appropriate methods, theories, and ethics. Finally, it challenges oral historians and oral traditionalists to rethink the underlying concepts of oral sources and methods by including indigenous perspectives and definitions of orality, history, and tradition.