Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - INDG 301 D100

Indigenous/Indigenist Research Methods (3)

Class Number: 3231

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    One of INDG (or FNST) 101 or 201W and 111, or permission of the instructor.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Involves an examination and application of methods and, theory related to Indigenous research methodologies. Ethical conduct and protocols for working with Indigenous communities are reviewed. Students with credit for FNST 301 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

EDUCATIONAL GOALS

· Critically evaluate the development, role and function of research, and the researcher’s position in relation to Indigenous studies research

· Understand how Indigenous Research methodologies differ from and challenge western academic approaches to research and colonial assumptions

· Evaluate the researcher’s ethical and professional responsibility in research with Indigenous communities

· Consider the effect of law, policy, culture, race, colonialism, and power relationships on the research process

· Exhibit research skills sufficient to produce a presentation on an Indigenous epistemology

· Exhibit research and writing skills sufficient to demonstrate effective use and interpretation of sources in assignments

Write coherently, persuasively, and well

Grading

  • Literature Review 20%
  • Location of Self in Research Position Paper 15%
  • Indigenous Research Proposal 25%
  • Oral Presentation & Reciprocity 25%
  • Colleague Reciprocity 5%
  • In Class Engagement Actiivites 10%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

REQUIRED TEXTS

Absolon, Kathleen E. (2022). Kaandossiwin: How We Come to Know Indigenous re-Search Methodologies (2nd edition). Winnipeg: Fernwood Publishing

Kovach, Margaret. (2021). Indigenous Methodologies: Characteristics, Conversations, and Contexts. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.

Recommended:

Archibald, Jo-ann, Lee-Morgan, Jenny Bol & De Santolo, Jason (2022) (editors). Decolonizing Research: Indigenous Storywork as Methodology. New York: Bloomsbury Academic

Smith, Linda T. (2021) Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples. Third Edition. Zed Books. (or First (1999) or Second (2012) edition) (available on-line through SFU library) https://sfu- primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/f/1u29dis/TN_cdi_askewsholts_vlebooks_9781786998163

Younging, Gregory (2025) Elements of Indigenous Style: A Guide for Writing By and About Indigenous Peoples, 2nd Ed. Brush Education. (available on-line through SFU library) https://research.ebsco.com/c/oudquj/search/details/nc35rdu3qv?db=nlebk&db=nlabk&proxyApplied=true

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

NOTE re AI
Please note that submissions that employ generative AI tools in this course (for idea generation or other purposes) are not accepted by the Department. Your grade in this course is meant to reflect your personal engagement with course materials. If you are ever unsure about your instructor's stance on generative AI, please be sure to ask before submitting work using these tools: "If you are unsure, you must not assume that using generative AI is permitted." - SFU Academic Integrity
Those who employ these tools in their course submissions may face disciplinary action in accordance with SFU's academic integrity policies. https://www.sfu.ca/students/enrolment-services/academic-integrity/using-generative-ai.html

COPYRIGHT
Materials included in this course, unless otherwise stated, have been created by the Instructor, and reproducing or using this material outside of this course is not permitted unless written consent has been provided by the owner of this material. The course-based Canvas page and its related resources are maintained and developed by the Instructor for the use of the students registered to take this course. Course materials such as PowerPoint slides, lecture notes, the lecture itself and exams are all protected by copyright. Recording, copying or sharing these materials without permission may be a violation of Canadian copyright law and SFU policies. What does this mean? It means that you are legally not permitted to circulate the course materials to any other entity without explicit permission from the course author.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.