Indigenous knowledge is a special kind of knowledge that is different from what most people in the Western world learn through science. It belongs to specific societies or cultures and is shaped by their history and experiences, especially during colonial times.
Unlike the Western view of knowledge as something to possess or own, indigenous knowledge is about sharing and creating together. They use cultural practices like storytelling, art, song, and dance to pass down knowledge from generation to generation.
In some fields like psychology and sports, efforts have been made to respect and include indigenous knowledge (e.g., Kim et al., 2006). There is an overall push for researchers to continually work to involve indigenous peoples in the research process and make sure their cultural values and safety are considered.
For example, in Australia, researchers worked with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian rules footballers and took steps to ensure cultural safety and reciprocity in the research process (Campbell & Sonn, 2009). In other instances, researchers used indigenous ways of thinking and understanding, such as Maori concepts and metaphors, to gain deeper insights into the experiences of indigenous athletes (Erueti & Palmer, 2014).
Campbell, E. E., & Sonn, C. C. (2009). Transitioning into the AFL: Indigenous football players’ perspectives. Athletic Insight: The Online Journal of Sports Psychology, 11(3).
Erueti, B., & Palmer, F. R. (2014). Maori elite athletes and the expression of ethno-cultural identity in global sport. Sport in Society, 17, 1061 1075.
Kim, U., Yang, K. S., & Hwang, K. K. (Eds.), (2006). Contributions to indigenous and cultural psychology: Understanding people in context. New York, NY: Springer.
