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Unique Considerations For Research In Native American Studies

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UNIQUE CONSIDERATIONS FOR RESEARCH IN NATIVE AMERICAN STUDIES
INTRODUCTION
Researches done on the Native American communities has in the past caused significant harm to
the communities because some researchers made evaluations that in one way or other betrayed
the Native community’s culture. This is because they failed to conduct their research in
consideration of the community’s point of view, and in a transparent and respectful manner
leading to abuse of their culture and norms.
When conducting research in Native American communities, it is in order to make some
considerations that will ensure the right evaluations are made which respects the community’s
cultural protocols, and ones that considers the community’s safety. They should ensure that the
evaluations will benefit the researchers interests the government’s interests as well as the
community’s.
1. COMMUNITY’S CULTURE
Culture can be defined as the “deep structure” of an organization (a people). The
people’s/organization’s culture has common characteristics which are the most important aspects
of consideration during study. There are possibilities that cultures and personalities are so unique
such that the power of culture’s concept completely lies in their abilities to force us to look at the
uniqueness of peoples/ organizations rather than their common properties. (Edgar H, 1985)
Geertz, (1973) states that the ethnographic approach taken from anthropology and sociology
begins with assuming that there are deeper structures and that these structures cannot be
understood and explained unless intensive and extensive observations are done supported by
interview data from these community informants. (Edgar H, 1985).

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An evaluator has to appreciate the uniqueness of the culture and history of the communities and
be aware of the historical trauma that might have been experienced by the tribe and also be
aware of the personal history of the respondent. To be able to achieve this, the researcher should
establish a relationship with the community’s elders, leaders and those who have a deep
understanding of the culture if the community.
Edgar H. (1985) also states that, it is very important to study the origin of the culture of the
people because communities’ culture implies; stability, emphasizes conceptual sharing,
partnering, dynamics, and group life. In most society, certain phenomenon persisted over time
and displayed remarkable stability such that they overcame the pressure to change thus leading to
long-range stability. He also noted the degree of similarity on behavior, perceptions, cognitions
and feeling of members of a given society showed that there was the concept of cultural sharing.
Thirdly, he noted the degree of patterns that some anthropologists observed and that the
community patterns have to be studied carefully since they are crucial in the cultural
phenomenon. He finally noted that while looking at the early ethnographies, cultural phenomena
penetrate all of the aspect of daily life and that whatever people do is mostly out of a shared way
of life.
To study these Native communities, it is important to consider the culture of the community, to
evaluate it and acknowledge how important this culture is to the people. Evaluators should listen
to the voices of the tribal community, attend cultural ceremonies, Native community meetings,
and build a good relationship with the community in order to obtain more observations necessary
for study.

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UNIQUE CONSIDERATIONS FOR RESEARCH IN NATIVE AMERICAN STUDIES INTRODUCTION Researches done on the Native American communities has in the past caused significant harm to the communities because some researchers made evaluations that in one way or other betrayed the Native community’s culture. This is because they failed to conduct their research in consideration of the community’s point of view, and in a transparent and respectful manner leading to abuse of their culture and norms. When conducting research in Native American communities, it is in order to make some considerations that will ensure the right evaluations are made which respects the community’s cultural protocols, and ones that considers the community’s safety. They should ensure that the evaluations will benefit the researcher’s interests the government’s interests as well as the community’s. 1. COMMUNITY’S CULTURE Culture can be defined as the “deep structure” of an organization (a people). The people’s/organization’s culture has common characteristics which are the most important aspects of consideration during study. There are possibilities that cultures and personalities are so unique such that the power of culture’s concept completely lies in their abilities to force us to look at the uniqueness of peoples/ organizations rather than their common properties. (Edgar H, 1985) Geertz, (1973) states that the ethnographic approach taken from anthropology and sociology begins with assuming ...
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