Theory. Thinks about research from an Indigenous, and specifically Maori, perspective. A classic. I first read the book about 15 years ago and wrote an extensive review at that time. I re-read it now for work purposes, and I’ll keep this brief. The work is divided into two broad parts, one providing an overview of the imperial/colonial histories of Western knowledge production, research, and scholarship, the other looking at Indigenous resistance movements and various initiatives, particularly in the Aotearoa/New Zealand context, to re-envision research in Indigenous ways. My impression from bits and pieces I’ve seen/heard from people actually doing this work is that things have evolved a lot when it comes to Indigenous research practices in the two decades since this was published, but it remains a landmark – widely read, widely cited, widely taught, and quite important. My own re-engagement with the book was primarily focused on the historical overview and analysis it provides in the first half, which remains powerful, important, and relevant. A valuable resource for anyone interested in thinking critically about how we know the world, and in cultivating ways to know the world that push back against our imperial/colonial past and present.
Originally posted by Scott on Goodreads.