Conference session

What are practical and effective ways for engaging with Indigenous laws in research? Accessing and applying specific Indigenous legal orders (e.g. Cree, Dene) requires research methods that centre the wisdom, logic, relationships and reasoning of those legal systems. In the last decade, Indigenous Peoples have dedicated significant time and resources to identifying, articulating and implementing their laws in a wide range of areas. Long-standing methods of engagement with Indigenous law are being rearticulated and adapted; other methods are emerging as the work evolves. Based on this work, and the presenters' experience with Indigenous community-led research through a research unit out of the University of Alberta Faculty of Law, this session will introduce participants to practical and theoretical issues that arise when engaging with Indigenous laws, and describe some promising methods for such engagement such as linguistic, narrative-based, kinship-visiting (kiyokewin), community, ceremonial and land-based methods. The session will introduce practical approaches, and invite self-reflection and discussion on common challenges and specific practises for exploring academics' role in community-led research. These approaches include: taking an inside perspective on Indigenous law; treating methodology as law; deepening relationships and obligations; attending to the mindset, intentions and orientations of researchers; and, working from a place of hope. The session will include context setting followed by facilitated small group discussion, using a ‘Wisdom Workshop' visiting method example to identify key lessons and take aways that will support researchers, particularly those working with and supporting work by, Indigenous peoples related to law and governance.