ALARj Action Learning and Action Research Journal
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Intuition and congruence: researching peace in Melanesia
No full textResearching peace and conflict in the Solomon Islands is a sensitive and nuanced process. The research must be guided by a methodology that is congruent with the epistemology and ontology of the Melanesian context, the peace studies discipline, as well as the researcher and participants involved. Research that is participatory and orientated towards action for positive social change is both desirable and necessary for effective research in this context. Participatory action research allows the research to capture and explore the affective, intrinsically intertwined nature of contemporary conflict in an indigenous setting. The key tenets of transformative research provide a relevant reference to the values that are inherent to participatory action research, an indigenous epistemology and peace research – that the research be a holistic, ethical, empowering and emancipatory process
Participation as a Method of Sharing Koorie Narratives
No full textABSTRACT This paper describes research currently being conducted in the Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia. As a public library service project I recorded a range of stories acknowledging that valuable information was available in the local Koorie community that may easily be lost forever. The resulting project was “Woor-dungin Nambur: Sharing Talk”. In the research I plan to extend the library project in partnership with the Gunnai/Kurnai community to: Facilitate the recording of available narratives referring to current issues, recent history and dreamtime stories.Provide information emanating from the analysis of Gunnai/Kurnai stories,Provide the opportunity for participants to assist with the research plan. By using Participatory Action Research methodology I aim to increase the knowledge base regarding Australian Indigenous epistemology as well as achieve some kind of social benefits for all people involved in the research. Cultural aspects of the research community are recognised. With this paper I explore the scope of the research before focusing on reasons for methodology selection and also examine ethical issues
Decolonizing activism/deactivating colonialism
No full textNon-Indigenous activism in support of Indigenous struggles in south east Australia aims to redress colonialism. However, at times this activism is marked by colonialist attitudes and behaviours. This paper is my attempt to analyse and communicate the key issues raised at a forum in August 2010 which aimed to gather knowledge around the practice of solidarity with Indigenous struggles in south east Australia. The forum was generously hosted by the community-controlled organisation Melbourne Aboriginal Youth Sport and Recreation (MAYSAR), in Fitzroy, Melbourne
Healing unresolved grief
No full textI coined the term ‘decolonial era’ to suggest that Indigenous Peoples resist subjugation and socialization to the dominant political hegemonies (Doxtater 2004). In many instances the neo-colonial view promoted by settler governments traps us in the 1800s. Escaping the 1800s means decolonizing an imposed identity and those of us who escaped the 1800s find something strange. Many of our innovations and inventions have been adapted to the contemporary world
Engaging the practice of Indigenous yarning in Action Research
No full textThis paper discusses the technique of ‘yarning’ as an action research process relevant for policy development work with Aboriginal peoples. Through a case study of an Aboriginal community-based smoking project in the Australian State of Victoria, the paper demonstrates how the Aboriginal concept of ‘yarning’ can be used to empower people to create policy change that not only impacts on their own health, but also impacts on the health of others and the Aboriginal organisation for which they work. The paper presents yarning within the context of models of empowerment and a methodological approach of participatory action research. The method is based on respect and inclusivity, with the final policy developed by staff for staff. Yarning is likely to be successful for action researchers working within a variety of Indigenous contexts
Research as intervention: Engaging silenced voices
No full textoai:alarj.alarassociation.org:article/5The emergence of Indigenous researchers into the public health research sector presents a challenge to what have traditionally been Western-based research approaches and practices. Among these challenges are those owed to the distinctive methodologies and different epistemologies, ways of knowing or world-view that regularly characterise members of these distinctive cultural groups. Globally, there are many distinct Indigenous epistemologies, but for the purposes of this paper I focus on Australian Indigenous world-views, and the ways that these have been shaped by Colonial practices. By exploring the concept of Indigenous world-views, and how power imbalances occur between these and more culturally mainstream alternatives, attention will be directed to how such imbalances continue to present major challenges for public health researchers. I will argue that most, if not all, research is a form of intervention. Research as intervention needs to be transformational by both engaging and empowering the ‘silenced’ voices
