How Indigenous Knowledges and Knowledge Systems Are Centered in Research: An Indigenous-informed Realist Review Protocol

Background: In Euro-Western forms of research, Indigenous Knowledges (IK) and Knowledge systems have been misused, devalued, and stolen. Elders and Knowledge Guardians have expressed the need for IK to be protected for future generations and be included in research in a good way. Objectives: We aim to disrupt the ongoing dominance of Eurocentric research methodologies focused on Indigenous Peoples by promoting and nurturing rights-based and distinctions-based approaches that center Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing within the entirety of this research project. Methods: This protocol paper describes how we developed an Indigenous-informed realist review process and what the process entails. When conducting our realist review, we will examine papers indicating that IK were centered in research. Our iterative process is shaped and guided by IK within our team. To be included in the analysis, papers must (1) identify how Indigenous Peoples were leading, guiding, and/or governing the research; (2) describe how IK were a critical component of research; and (3) report on how the research benefitted Indigenous Peoples. All papers that meet our inclusion criteria will be scored using a relevance assessment tool we developed to assess how much information was provided on the local context for the Indigenous research, the outcomes from the IK in research, and the processes that facilitated the research outcomes. Conclusions: Our intention is to synthesize and amplify how IK have been centered in research, across multiple disciplines and geographies, to benefit Indigenous Peoples. We focus on nurturing and fostering ways of doing Indigenous research and including IK in a way that supports the wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples.