Indigenous evaluation
Indigenous evaluation is a type of evaluation done by and/ or for Indigenous communities. The goals of Indigenous evaluation may be the same as Western evaluation (i.e., to determine the value of something), but the way it is done can be very different. Simply put, Indigenous evaluation is evaluation done in line with the values, culture, and traditions of Indigenous stakeholders.*
Some more specific considerations for conducting Indigenous evaluation, especially for settler (non-Indigenous) evaluators are below. Most of this information comes from recommendations for approaches to Aboriginal/ Indigenous research more generally, but the same lessons apply to evaluation.**
Learn the history
Take it upon yourself to become educated on the colonial history of Canada or whichever country you practice in. Don’t expect Indigenous people to do this work for you. This is likely a history filled with pain, trauma, and discrimination, with the negative effects of colonization continuing to the present day. At the same time, Indigenous people are not simply victims of violence - they possess rich histories that extend much further back than when settlers arrived, and many continue to this day to practice their culture and find resilience, creativity, celebration, and humour within their communities. Be sure to also learn about the specific history and traditions of the community where the evaluation is occurring.
Recognize that Indigenous groups are sovereign nations
Work with Indigenous communities must be guided by the fact that Indigenous people belong to nations with inherent legal and political rights, including the right to self-determination. Respecting those rights is a priority.
Create value for the community
Make useful evaluation products beyond just written reports. Find out what the community wants, and provide that (e.g., presentations, videos, data warehouses, protocol development, translation to their language). Also recognize when your work creates relationships of dependency, and instead strive for independence by providing access to data, co-ownership of projects, and capacity building opportunities. Creating value for the community is critical because there is a historical (and present-day) practice of researchers doing studies “on” Indigenous communities, where community members share their time, energy, experiences, and sacred knowledge with researchers, who then disappear back to their institutions to write papers, get promotions, and generally benefit from the research. One simple action all evaluators should take is paying research participants, if appropriate (or otherwise compensating with gift cards, gas, etc.). This is especially critical when asking for knowledge from an Elder. Make sure you find out the appropriate protocol for asking Elders to share their knowledge and make an appropriate offering (your client or community representative can advise on this). For example, in some communities, you should offer an Elder tobacco before asking them to share their knowledge. This exchange (called “protocol”) establishes a relationship between you and the Elder and shows you understand the importance of the knowledge they are going to share.
Respect Indigenous ways of knowing
There are other, equally valid, knowledge systems than the one most settler evaluators are used to (based in Western social science). Most Indigenous communities have some form of Traditional Knowledge system, which is a way of learning about the world, passing on knowledge, and making decisions that is rooted in the specific place and culture of the community. Evaluators must recognize that this knowledge existed long before they arrived on the scene, and be willing to listen to and learn from Elders and other Knowledge Holders within the community.
Western knowledge is not a replacement for Indigenous knowledge, and Indigenous knowledge does not exist to confirm the findings of Western knowledge. Both bring unique strengths and weaknesses, and can be used together in what some call “two-eyed seeing.”
Collaborate with Indigenous communities
Consider designing bids with diversity and Indigenous experts in mind, include Indigenous evaluators and Tribal Nations as authentic partners, and engage with stakeholders in a way that results in real partnership.
There is no simple step-by-step guide to properly conducting Indigenous evaluations. It is a process of learning and building relationships between the evaluator and the community that depend on respect and reciprocity. The evaluator must be aware of the social, political, and cultural contexts they are working in. This means listening, learning, and not necessarily having all the answers. As Nicole Bowman-Farrell said:
We must continue to ask, “Are we putting the highest burden of responsibility on those least in power, with the fewest resources, lowest capacities, and with the highest needs to create systemic and sustainable change?” It is the evaluation profession’s collective responsibility—not just the Indigenous or evaluator of color’s responsibility—to live the mission and vision of our professional associations by holding each other accountable, so we can improve ourselves and our broader community(ies) of practice.
* Indigenous peoples belong to a diverse set of cultures, each with unique cultures, languages, and norms. It would be incorrect and disrespectful to assume all Indigenous groups or all Indigenous individuals are the same.
** This is a complex topic and we’ve only scratched the surface - be sure to seek out more information, especially from Indigenous people. As a starting point, we recommend the American Indian Higher Education Consortium’s Indigenous Evaluation Framework: Telling Our Story in Our Place and Time.