Indigenous studies and engaged anthropology : the collaborative moment

285 Pages·2015·1.55 MB·English

by  Sillitoe

IndIgenous studIes and
engaged anthropology
Advancing the rising field of engaged or participatory anthropology that is emerging
at the same time as increased opposition from Indigenous peoples to research, this
book offers critical reflections on research approaches to-date. The engaged approach
seeks to change the researcher-researched relationship fundamentally, to make
methods more appropriate and beneficial to communities by involving them as par-
ticipants in the entire process from choice of research topic onwards. The aim is not
only to change power relationships, but also engage with non-academic audiences.
The advancement of such an egalitarian and inclusive approach to research can
provoke strong opposition. Some argue that it threatens academic rigour and worry
about the undermining of disciplinary authority. Others point to the difficulties of
establishing an appropriately non-ethnocentric moral stance and navigating the
complex problems communities face. Drawing on the experiences of Indigenous
scholars, anthropologists and development professionals acquainted with a range
of cultures, this book furthers our understanding of pressing issues such as inter-
pretation, transmission and ownership of Indigenous knowledge, and appropriate
ways to represent and communicate it. All the contributors recognise the plurality
of knowledge and incorporate perspectives that derive, at least in part, from other
ways of being in the world.
The book includes powerful insights from different parts of the world that
demonstrate the challenges, nuances, ethics, practices, potential and power of
engaged approaches. Relationships between researcher and researched
communities are skilfully negotiated through individual chapters and the dialogue
that was created through the symposium to bring these pieces together. Such work
is never comfortable, and dialogue can be testing and difficult but it is worth the
effort on all sides as it uncovers understandings that could not come to be in any
other way. Thoroughly recommended for those beginning their journey of engage-
ment and for those who are well along the way.
Linda Tuhiwai Smith, The University of Waikato, New Zealand
Sillitoe has (again) hit upon a collection that wonderfully meets an urgent
contemporary need for anthropologists. His wide range of contributors
address a bevy of pertinent issues and one can only hope that the collaboration
they advocate persists beyond the present moment of interest.
Joy Hendry, Oxford Brookes University, UK
This important and timely book provides answers to the pressing question that
now confronts young anthropologists setting off to do fieldwork with indigenous
peoples: ‘what is the benefit of this to us?’ By bringing together contributions
from indigenous scholars and anthropologists this book enriches both fields and
provides a framework for dialogue directed to realizing the emancipatory
possibilities of research that is done with people rather than about them.’
Paul Oldham, United Nations University, Japan
Indigenous Studies
and Engaged Anthropology
The Collaborative Moment
Edited by
paul sIllItoe
Durham University, UK
© Paul Sillitoe 2015
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher.
Paul Sillitoe has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to
be identified as the editor of this work.
Published by
Ashgate Publishing Limited Ashgate Publishing Company
Wey Court East 110 Cherry Street
Union Road Suite 3-1
Farnham Burlington, VT 05401-3818
Surrey, GU9 7PT USA
England
www.ashgate.com
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
The Library of Congress has cataloged the printed edition as follows:
Indigenous studies and engaged anthropology : the collaborative moment / edited by
Paul Sillitoe.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-4094-4541-8 (hardback : alk. paper) -- ISBN 978-1-4094-4542-5 (ebook) --
ISBN 978-1-4724-0308-7 (epub) 1. Indigenous peoples--Research--Methodology. 2.
Applied anthropology. 3. Ethnology--Methodology. I. Sillitoe, Paul, 1949- editor of
compilation.
GN380.I537 2014
305.8’00723--dc23
2014018357
ISBN: 978-1-4094-4541-8 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-4094-4542-5 (ebk – PDF)
ISBN: 978-1-4724-0308-7 (ebk – ePUB)
III
Printed in the United Kingdom by Henry Ling Limited,
at the Dorset Press, Dorchester, DT1 1HD
In support of the diverse voices of indigenous peoples whose fight for
their integrity and for their rights against neocolonial practices challenge
and expand our understanding of the world, and of ourselves.
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Contents
List of Figures ix
Notes on Contributors xi
Preface xv
1 The Dialogue between Indigenous Studies and Engaged
Anthropology: Some First Impressions 1
Paul Sillitoe
PART I: EngAgIng wITh IndIgEnEITy
2 Sharing Anthropological Knowledge, Decolonizing Anthropology:
Emberá Indigeneity and Engaged Anthropology 33
Dimitrios Theodossopoulos
3 Fostering the Rapprochement of Anthropology and Indigenous
Studies: The Encounter of an Italian Anthropologist with Kaupapa
Māori Research 55
Domenica Gisella Calabrò
4 Hiding in Plain Sight: Assimilation and the End of Story 77
Robyn Sandri
PART II: PRoblEms of REPREsEnTATIon And RIghTs
5 The Promises and Conundrums of Decolonized Collaboration 95
Emma Cervone
6 Urban Amerindians and Advocacy: Toward a Politically Engaged
Anthropology Representing Urban Amerindigeneities in Manaus,
Brazil 115
J.P. Linstroth
7 Old Wine in New Bottles: Self-determination, Participatory
Democracy and Free, Prior and Informed Consent 147
Jayantha Perera
viii Indigenous Studies and Engaged Anthropology
8 The (Non-Legal) Guide to Meaningful Recognition: A Case Study
from the Canning Basin, Western Australia 163
Tran Tran
PART III: ChAllEngIng ThE domInAnCE of ThE ACAdEmy
9 Integrating African Proverbs in the Education of Young Learners:
The Challenge of Knowledge Synthesis 181
George J. Sefa Dei
[Nana Sefa Atweneboah I]
10 Indigenous Peoples’ Amazonian Sustainable
Development Project 201
Priscilla Settee
11 Engagement and Ownership of Knowledge: Issues Affecting
Indigenous Education and Pedagogy 217
Raymond Nichol
12 Questions of Power in Schooling for Indigenous Papuans 235
Rachel Shah
Index 257
List of Figures
2.1 Emberá woman in Parara Puru reading Reverte Coma’s
ethnography 42
2.2 Emberá children browsing Tayler’s ethnography and my fieldnotes 44
2.3 Photographic exhibition in Parara Puru before its eventual
destruction by a storm 46
2.4 Emberá children choosing designs from Ulloa’s laminated pages 47
6.1 Tuxaua (leader) Paulo, Sateré-Mawé, dressed up in full regalia in
the city of Manaus 2009 122
6.2 Brazilian military police accosting Iliana, Sateré-Mawé, at Lago
Azul occupation site, 11 March 2008 124