A Promised Mindland?: A rectificatory theory-practice position for non-Indigenous researchers. Issue 4 (November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Puch-Bouwman, Jen
• Is Part Of: Alternative. Volume 10:Issue 4(2014)
• Page Start: 408
• Page End: 421
• Publication Date: 2014-11
• Subjects: anti-colonial research -- decolonizing research -- non-Indigenous researchers -- global rectificatory justice; Indigenous peoples -- Periodicals; Maori (New Zealand people) -- Periodicals; 305.8005
• DOI: 10.1177/117718011401000407
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1177-1801

Abstract

Non-Indigenous researchers who study Indigenous people and issues are situated in a highly contested epistemological space. Indigenous sovereignty and decolonizing endeavours have transformed this realm into a thriving liberatory arena. That in turn has stirred colonial residues in the field and has led non-Indigenous researchers to readjust their ideologies and practices vis-à-vis the Indigenous epistemological insurgence. In order to respond to these challenges, researchers may turn to a range of theory-practice positions. I review these positions and suggest that, despite their immense contributions, they still constitute higher-level symptoms of the colonial aftermath. Therefore, a rectificatory theory-practice position is proposed, advocating resistance, trans-generational justice and reparation by non-Indigenous researchers in Indigenous-related research. In addition, I introduce the concept of "mindland" to encompass the rectification of both knowledge and land, and highlight the wider colonized context of Indigenous-related research.