Colden Baxter & Sammy Matsaw
1:00-2:30pm February 4, 2022
Presentation Abstract
In this session we will discuss collaborative projects built on relationality and reciprocity, drawing on lessons from the past 15 years of a path involving the session co-facilitators Matsaw and Baxter. Among these lessons is the recognition that, along such a path, methodologies are what can cause harm, not methods. We will first introduce relationality and reciprocity among methodologies, with the aim of creating a critical and safe space. We will then share how the critical space has revealed for us three models of research interactions: academia prescribing to the Tribes ideas and solutions; the Tribes subcontracting university researchers to meet tribal needs; and (what we consider our ongoing aspiration) the development of a collaborative working ecosystem that draws on both ways of knowing to generate opportunities and research directions. In addition to sharing our stories, we will engage with the audience through group discussions around three prompts: the three models; relationality and reciprocity; and harms and/or pitfalls that may arise working with minoritized groups of peoples. In turn, we will draw a focus on healthy collaborations rooted in respect, reciprocity, relationality, responsibility/accountability, and applied as we generate proposals and seek resources with equity, power-sharing, and social justice in mind. Takeaways will include a handout identifying literature relevant to the session, self-taken notes from audience interactions, and lessons learned from our own evolving, tribal-university collaboration.
Reference Works
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