Insights into Positionality and the Voicing of Indigeneity in Research : Towards a Critical Theory of Inbetweenness

Western empirical research holds to rules and guidelines informed by the natural sciences, positivism, deductive reasoning, objectivity and precise measures as gold standards of inquiry. Contrasting this worldview, the relational qualities and interconnections essential to Indigenous research are seen as problematic that must acquiesce to the norms of scientific observation. This paper draws upon the literature of key Indigenous researchers and the author’s insights from situated experiences and examine the ways in which the Indigenist paradigm challenges empirical standards in relation to positionality. That is, addressing the struggles of the ‘insider’ and ‘outsider’ standpoints, speaking to the dilemmas of identity, and negotiating the space in-between cultures (Kaomea, 2014). The question of insider and outsider even among Indigenous researchers can be regarded as a space of solvency and richness. The paper contends that with truth and reconciliation and the international recognition of Indigenous rights comes the need to strengthen and politicise Indigenous voices in all its forms. It is especially pressing in the area of knowledge development and dissemination. We share our stories of walking between worlds and reflect on our work experiences across nations. In the end, we hope to advance interest in the narratives affirming Indigenous research as relational, contextual, spiritual and situational.Peer reviewe

Editor’s Note: Indigenous Communities and COVID-19: Impact and Implications

Editoral for the Special Issu

Special Issue Foreword

JISD Foreword for Special Issue on Love

Maori entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurial leadership is today developing as a significant factor in efforts among tribal Maori to maximise and consolidate their resources assets. Maori have come to recognise that to attain economic viability and take advantage of marketplace opportunities requires calculated risk-taking. Individuals who can assess, manage and contain risk and have the capacity and audacity, it would seem, to turn ideas into real, tangible commercial success. The current groundswell of tribal entrepreneurship has been spurred on by the increasing number of successful localised Maori businesses; changes in government economic policy; a predominant increase in the numbers of Maori members of parliament and a review of significant legislation that has historically impeded Maori economic self-determination. As Treaty of Waitangi settlements and fisheries entitlements claims have in one sense compelled the long standing Maori Trust Boards to reconstitute themselves to provide mechanisms of controlling, managing and investing it capital, it has also necessitated the need to adapt western styles of financial and managerial accountability. This study aims to examine the significance of entrepreneurship as a level of leadership required to assist Maori, in particular tribal iwi, to move into what is widely described as the era of "neo-tribal" post-modernism. The 'tribal entrepreneurs', as distinct from those 'Maori' who happen to be entrepreneurs, are by definition individuals who simultaneously walk two distinct, complex and yet significantly complementary cultural/economic pathways. What ultimately sets such leaders apart is their distinct bicultural position, the manner in which they attempt to negotiate their 'identities' and realities and meaning and significance of a set of unique ethical considerations. Within this study the notions of network systems, stakeholders and dual constituency arrangements are addressed. The importance of these is seen in the fact that entrepreneurs work between a complex set of arrangements and engage primarily in problem-solving, identifying gaps, managing change and weighing up options. This study also takes the view that the positivist and non-positivist arguments concerning research and theory validate each other as they both require explanations and justifications of the other. It follows that even for entrepreneurs, there is reason to accept and adopt a rational positivist framework and integrate this into 'human factors' that revolve around their intuition, feelings, hunches and emotions. Entrepreneurs are seen as risk takers in an intellectual, financial and interpersonal sense who pursue opportunities when all else seems uncertain. Their very livelihoods depend on their abilities to respond quickly and positively to market gaps and to market opportunities and as such they are architects and controllers of their destinies. This study aims to capture the tensions, relationships and commercial realities of Maori entrepreneurs as they go about their activities. They, it is argued, provide the necessary tier of business leadership, complementary to that of tribal political leadership required to make economic development and commercial investments viable options

A study of alcohol consumption on maraes and of contemporary drinking patterns in Ruatoria : a social, political and economic account of drinking on the East Coast : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the degree of Master of Philosophy in Sociology at Massey University

This thesis examines the consumption of alcohol ("drinking") which takes place on maraes in and around a rural Maori community of Ruatoria. The town is situated in the heart of Ngati Porou on the East Coast, New Zealand. This study focuses on drinking practices in the community and on maraes, and identifies the views and perceptions of local people towards alcohol consumption. The contradictions, ambiguities and ambivalences people have about drinking are explored. The fieldwork is designed around the principles of participant observation where the task is to "tell it like it is" as I interpret the facts presented. In examining drinking patterns it is necessary to account for the influences of social, political and economic factors. Drinking on maraes is not a new thing and the historical accounts of drinking in the past provide important facts about the way in which drinking is viewed today. Also, it is important to describe the extent to which such factors affect the marae. Major features of this study are examination and comparison of the views of the younger people in Ruatoria to those of older people. Generational differences are apparent in the way people relate to and perceive their maraes, and in the way they participate in and perceive of their drinking practices. In society generally, drinking is considered either a good thing or a bad thing depending on the circumstances, this is also apparent on maraes. Alcohol is accepted as an important feature of hospitality; it ensures that guests enjoy themselves and that unity among marae members is maintained. But on the negative side, alcohol consumption on maraes is subject to abuse like anywhere else. As a result of drinking excessively people fight, cause damage to property and create a lot of pain and suffering for others. In accepting that drinking is the norm, this study concerns itself with establishing why this is the case for maraes. The marae, however cannot be discussed without consideration of formal procedures (marae protocol) and leadership. Protocol exists as rules which guide and dictate the formal proceedings that occur on maraes. As I point out, however, what people do and what people say are two entirely different things. Protocol is challenged as being past commonsense which people adapt to fit what is considered the commonsense of today. People drink on maraes as part of what is seen as a rationalising process where protocol is given meaning to what is relevant. Marae and community leaders, like kaumatua, are concerned with the question of alcohol on maraes because it affects their power. In seeking to maintain cohesion among the people and progress towards objectives they compromise drinking at the risk of diminishing their own decision-making authority. Drinking is an issue which many marae people must reluctantly deal with

Introduction Maori Evaluation Research, Theory and Practice: Lessons for Native Hawaiian Evaluation Studies

A cloud masses, the sky darkens, leaves twist upwards and we know that i

Towards a Pacific-indigenous research paradigm for Pacific social work

[Excerpt] Key points • Pacific social work research and evaluation approaches ought to align with a Pacific-Indigenous research paradigm. • A Pacific-Indigenous research paradigm includes assumptions about reality, knowledge, values and methodologies from within Pacific worldviews. • Pacific research approaches are increasingly being applied in research with Pacific communities, including: kakala, vanua, talanoa and fa’afaletui. • The Strengths Enhancing Evaluation Research (SEER) approach is an example of the application of Pacific-Indigenous evaluation in Hawai’i. • Decolonisation and positionality are important processes and considerations in Pacific research

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