Unavoidable expertise, 'technocratic positionality, ' and GIScience: eliciting an indigenous geospatial ontology with the Eastern Cree in Northern Quebec. Issue 4 (3rd April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Reid, Geneviève; Sieber, Renée E.
• Is Part Of: Gender, place and culture. Volume 28:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 541
• Page End: 563
• Publication Date: 2021-04-03
• Subjects: Positionality -- feminist methodologies -- indigenous peoples -- indigenous methodologies -- GIS; Human geography -- Periodicals; Feminism -- Periodicals; Géographie féministe -- Périodiques; 305.305
• DOI: 10.1080/0966369X.2020.1811209
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0966-369X

Abstract

Abstract: Advancements in geospatial technologies promise liberation from experts' knowledge. We argue that, despite these technological developments, Geographic Information Science (GIScience) expertise continues to shape research concerning Indigenous communities, specifically on abstruse GIScience topics such as ontology. We found limits in approaches to the development of Indigenous ontology because the role of the technocratic expert goes unquestioned, which can effect a recolonization of Indigenous peoples and their spatial knowledge. We argue that a technocracy is unavoidable; GIScience researchers must, therefore, address their positionality in research involving Indigenous peoples. Positionality compels the researcher to reflexively acknowledge how legitimacy is conferred through, for example, their credentialed expertise, institutions, race, class, and gender. To address technocratic positionality in Indigenous geospatial ontologies, we draw on our experience with the Eastern Cree in Northern Quebec in eliciting geospatial concepts. We offer hermeneutics and heuristics as promising approaches to avoiding recolonization and increasing Indigenous contributions to ontology production. A heuristic approach requires the researcher to be immersed within the community. Hermeneutics emphasizes the interpretation of knowledge alongside Indigenous community members. The immersion and greater inclusivity afforded by these two approaches allow the researcher to conduct research activities without being confined to the role of a technocrat outsider/expert. We discuss challenges that persist in reducing distance and in balancing a technocratic positionality.