Woyuha Hnebi Bathûtabi: A Research Project
In 2019 Amanda applied to the University of Calgary to undertake a research project about the ways museums were responding to Indigenous feedback. Amanda was working in museums but their job didn't allow them opportunities to engage with Îethkabi who had been asking them to arrange visits with belongings or help them find belongings in museums elsewhere. Amanda saw the research project as an opportunity to live their kinship obligations as someone married to a Îethka man, and someone who works in museums.
Amanda applied to the University of Calgary in the department of Anthropology. Generally, anthropology studies human cultures, and many museums were founded on the practices of anthropologists. Amanda did two years of classes in anthropology before completing an exam that allowed them to do research. The exam included a section on Stoney Nakoda language, which Amanda is learning.
After the exam Amanda did a pilot study to try and understand respectful ways of doing research with Stoney Nakoda people. The results of that study are here. Then Amanda asked members of the Nakoda AV Club, who has already done some work visiting museums, to collaborate. Amanda would do research, and AV Club members would work on their art and story practice. Amanda would do administration, and the AV Club members would advise the research. Together the group identified Elders and knowledge keepers to work with.
Together the group visited over 20 museums historic sites and galleries. Amanda wrote about the experiences visiting as one part of their research report or dissertation. Together the group will decide on any future publications of the parts of the research work they did together.
During the research Amanda followed some protocols to be respectful. Amanda studied OCAP (Ownership Control, Access and Possession) training offered by the First Nations Information Governance Center and CARE principles. As a result of these, the group decided that the research knowledge should be made public when possible, and that it belongs to all the participants through practices of witnessing. All participants are owners of their own stories.
Amanda also had to follow university regulations. The University of Calgary has strict regulations about how to undertake research ethically. If you have questions about this you can contact the University of Calgary here.
You can also address questions or concerns, and learn more about how the University regulates engagement with Indigenous communities here.