Abstract:
“The term “research” is extricably linked to European imperialism and colonialism. The word itself “research” is probably one of the dirtiest words in the Indigenous world’s vocabulary.” (Smith, 1999, p. 1) For many Aboriginal communities educational research can be seen with suspicion. As an Aboriginal educational researcher investigating Aboriginal education in Australia, much of the research is completed by non-Aboriginal researchers whose work does not always goes back to support the Aboriginal audience. Within this presentation I will highlight the importance of capacity building of Aboriginal researchers to investigate issues within Aboriginal education. Through the engagement of culturally similar researchers can the research process be engaged with as equals in the research practice and have the analysis founded through similar cultural filters of the participatory audience (Aboriginal students and community). Through supporting this process of building Aboriginal culturally sound researchers to walk the bi-cultural pathways of research within Aboriginal communities and non-Aboriginal institutions can some level of informed understandings be examined and presented. Through the engagement of Aboriginal cultural insiders as educational researchers will allow for the development of culturally safe research practices where open informed discussions can take plus. These Aboriginal cultural insiders can then analysis the research data from an Aboriginal perspective to interpret and inform the wider educational communities to gain understanding in more appropriate classroom practices to support Aboriginal learners.I will highlight a research project where I interviewed 50 high school Aboriginal students asking them what they believed was best practice when it came to supporting Aboriginal students at school. These students were invited to a Yarning Circle with myself and supported by part of the Aboriginal education team at their school, generally all these members were Aboriginal like myself so we maintained a very culturally safe discussion environment. The significance of Aboriginal engagement across all levels of the research process will be highlighted.