A lecture by Colin Scott, McGill University

Indigenous Research Partnerships, Knowledge Co-production and Collaborating Life Projects
by Colin Scott
Department of Anthropology, McGill University
Director, Centre for Indigenous Conservation and Development Alternatives (CICADA)

Friday, March 10, 2:30 p.m.
Room 124, Archaeology Building

In this paper I explore the conditions and significance of research partnerships with indigenous communities and organizations. I do so from my perspective as a non-indigenous anthropologist, in contexts of trans-epistemological research that seeks to respond to indigenous priorities. Such partnerships involve knowledge co-production based on values and agendas that must be shared, to some palpable degree, to be viable. Goals of social and environmental justice, for example, often trigger such partnerships, as indigenous knowledges enter into conversation with pertinent academic, legal and policy perspectives and methodologies. Under what conditions do such conversations empower rather than subvert or subordinate indigenous knowledge? Answers to this question lie in arenas of actual engagement, as defined by the ontologies, social relationships and collective “life projects” of indigenous protagonists. As academics enter into relations of knowledge co-production consistent with indigenous relationalities and life projects, the life projects of all parties to the conversation deepen their connections, requiring particular political choices. Perhaps these are terms for relationship and community that may escape common hegemonies.

All are welcome