Because research takes us into the realm of the unknown, there may be risks to those involved, both at the individual and community level. As history has repeatedly demonstrated, this is particularly true of Indigenous people. Harm has come, both to individuals and communities, from participating in research projects. Therefore it is especially important that those interested in doing Indigenous research fully understand their responsibilities. In this respect, we concur with the general policies of the Tri Council Research Secretariat, that is, that researchers need to follow three core principles when doing Indigenous research: respect for people and their community, concern for the welfare of individuals and their communities and commitment to upholding justice through the research activities.
Our goal is to help students and faculty understand how they might think about, learn about, design and carry out the research with Aboriginal peoples and their communities. To this end, we hope to provide interested parties, including graduate students, with some basic information and guidelines regarding ethics, research protocols, and research methodologies that are relevant to undertaking research with Aboriginal peoples and their communities. It is our hope that this information, while incomplete, will provide those interested in doing research with Indigenous people with basic information that will allow them to carry out their research in an ethical fashion, in ways that help Indigenous people strengthen their communities.