Citing and referencing Indigenous knowledges

Critically analysing authorship

In addition to considering the appropriateness of the content, you need to consider the authorship of the publication, specifically “what is the author’s relationship to the knowledge”?

Indigenous knowledge has protocols and responsibilities attached to it and any publication of Indigenous knowledge should adhere to them.

Indigenous authors in your specific field of study

It may be difficult to find materials that contain Indigenous knowledge authored by Indigenous authors. However, most if not all fields of research include the work of Indigenous researchers that can be cited. When writing about Indigenous people, culture, knowledge and lived experience use Indigenous-authored materials.
 

Note

Visit the Indigenous Resources Knowledge Collection guide for further information.

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Materials by Indigenous authors or supported by community

If a material was created by an Indigenous author/s, their positionality (such as their community/nation/tribal affiliation/s) will be stated at the start of their material or on their bio.

If a material was created in partnership with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people or communities, it will often be stated in the introduction of publications.

Material cites Indigenous authors

The author of the material will often highlight the Nation, Country or Language Group of the Indigenous authors that they are referencing in their work. In-text citations may be presented as:

“Wiradjuri scholar Sandy O’Sullivan argues that…” or

“Dr Shannon Faulkhead (Koorie) states …”

Understand the author's relationship to Indigenous knowledge

There is a vast diversity of Indigenous cultures and identities, they are not all the same. As with all cultures, some people are more appropriate Indigenous knowledge holders than others.  

It’s important to seek out material that contain Indigenous knowledge, where authors have a close relationship to the knowledge.  

If the research is targeted to a specific area, consider authors from that area. For example, if your research is about Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country, give preference to Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung sources of knowledge for the citations.