Developing a process for conducting educational research with the Dakota people of Wahpeton
Date
1992
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
Historically, research on Aboriginal education
issues has ignored the needs of Aboriginal people and
disempowered the Aboriginal community. This thesis
seeks to offer a corrective to that trend.
The intent of the thesis research was to establish
a process for conducting educational research with one
Aboriginal community - the Dakota People of Wahpeton which
would enable this community to have a legitimate
voice and control over future research that will be
conducted on their behalf. A methodology called
community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) was
utilized because it provided the means for community
input and direction. Through the use of CBPR,
collaborative relationships were established with 20
Dakota People of Wahpeton, who were identified as the
research participants. The interview was used as the
primary research method.
The thesis discusses how the conflict between two
cultural world views - the Aboriginal view of the
Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota People, generally referred
to as "Sioux", and the contemporary Western view - was
resolved within the process of implementing the
Community-Based Participatory Research methodology.
This resolution of differences was accomplished by
bridging, then mirroring, the methodologies and ways of
gaining knowledge unique to these two respective
cultural world views. Additionally, theoretical and
practical suggestions are offered so that the thesis
might serve as a model for Dakota-Nakota-Lakota
Community-Based Participatory Research in the future.
In keeping with Community-Based Participatory
Research, the voice of the people will be emphasized in
this thesis, through extensive use of quotes.
Furthermore, the voice of the researcher will be
clearly identified so that he may be held accountable
for his input.
Description
Keywords
Wahpeton, perspective - Aboriginal vs. Western, world views - differences, Aboriginal world views, Sioux - educational research, Dakota-Nakota-Lakota, Community-Based Participatory Research, First Nations educational research, research strategies
Citation
Degree
Master of Education (M.Ed.)
Department
Educational Foundations
Program
Educational Foundations