Ceremonies of Relationship

TLDR

Indigenous communities, especially marginalized youth, have historically been under‑represented in research, with Western‑centric approaches treating them as subjects rather than collaborators, raising concerns about how research informs policies and programs. The study aimed to identify the knowledge, resources, and capabilities needed to support the health, resilience, and well‑being of Indigenous youth in an urban Canadian setting. It employed methods that integrated Indigenous knowledge systems throughout the research process to foster meaningful and transformative engagement with Indigenous youth. The authors argue that incorporating traditional cultural practices—termed ceremonies of relationships—into research processes enhances constructive and meaningful engagement with Indigenous youth collaborators.

Abstract

Indigenous communities from around the world, and particularly marginalized youth from within these communities, have not always been adequately included and valued as potential collaborators in various research processes. Instead, research has relegated Indigenous youth to subjects where adults, operating primarily from Western knowledge positions and assumptions, remain the experts. Given the role of research in informing programs and policies, the ways research meaningfully engages and includes Indigenous youth are of key concern. This article presents experiences gained throughout the duration of a study that sought to identify the knowledge, resources, and capabilities required to support the health, resilience, and well-being of Indigenous youth within an urban Canadian context. In particular, this article focuses on methods and approaches of integrating Indigenous knowledge systems throughout the research process and how this can in turn foster meaningful and transformative engagements with Indigenous youth. We argue for the importance and value of traditional cultural practices and knowledge systems and what we call ceremonies of relationships, existent within Indigenous communities around the world, and how their integration in research processes can support constructive and meaningful engagements with Indigenous youth research collaborators.