Making Space for Indigenous Voices in Conflict Management Science and Practice

Abstract: This novel session responds to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) which calls for equitable access to education, job training, employment, and career advancement for the original inhabitants of colonized countries. Making space for Indigenous voices requires conflict scholars to learn from Indigenous authors and ask Indigenous employees what conflict management styles and approaches are consistent with Indigenous worldviews and effective for them. We share from our on-going experience learning to do research in a good way with Indigenous Student Centres and alumni from four Southwest Ontario post-secondary institutions. Topics include research ethics, building relationships, adopting Indigenous worldviews, informed consent and data collection, collaborative data interpretation, and positive community impact.

Keywords: Indigenous Conflict Management, Indigenous Research Methods, Action Research