Thematic Seminars at Várdduo

THEME FOR 2026: Indigenous Methodologies

Indigenous methodologies are approaches to research that are grounded in Indigenous worldviews, values, and relationships. Rather than treating knowledge as something to be extracted, they emphasise respect, reciprocity, and responsibility, recognising that knowledge is relational, between people, land, and more-than-human worlds. Scholars such as Linda Tuhiwai Smith, Shawn Wilson and Jelena Porsanger highlight that research must be accountable to the communities it involves and contribute to their wellbeing. This means that Indigenous methodologies prioritise collaboration, ethical engagement, and the protection of cultural knowledge. In practice, they challenge conventional research by centring Indigenous ways of knowing and ensuring that research is both respectful and relevant.

Shawn Wilson: How your Worldview guides your (research) practice

The decisions that we make every day as we go about our lives should be a reflection of our fundamental beliefs. As researchers, our underlying philosophy impacts our research practice whether we realize it or not. Examining our worldviews and positionality can help us to make better informed choices in our lives as researchers.

Dr Shawn Wilson is from the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in northern Canada and lives on Syilx territory in Kelowna, British Columbia. He is a Professor of Indigenous Studies and UBC Impact Research Chair in Indigenous Knowledge Systems Theme at the University of British Columbia.

Shawn has worked with Indigenous people worldwide and leads the “Continuing the Ceremony of Research” project, that is further articulating Indigenist philosophy and methodologies. He has spent time living, teaching and researching across Canada, the US, Australia, and Norway, along with supervising research projects in Bangladesh, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

Shawn is the author of Research is Ceremony, which has sold out multiple printings. He is on the Board of Directors with the Tapestry Institute and has joined the newly established advisory group at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. Shawn has presented at Goals House (Davos) as part of the World Economic Forum and the Mir Centre for Peace. His cites his 3 kids as his greatest achievement, pride and joy.