Müller, Savanah Starr2024-11-292024-11-292024-11-29http://hdl.handle.net/10393/49916https://doi.org/10.20381/ruor-30731While relationships between researchers and Indigenous communities are often complex and influenced by a legacy of colonialism, cultural differences and divergent worldviews (Castleden et al., 2010; Drawson et al., 2017; Ermine et al., 2004; Ninomiya & Pollock, 2016), many Indigenous Nations are asserting their rights over research within their respective territories and with their communities through the development of research protocols, guidelines and policies (Hayward et al., 2021). As such, researchers are being called upon to enact research practices that are aligned with community expectations (Hayward et al., 2021). These emerging documents provide culturally relevant guidance that promote research that is responsive to nation-specific research priorities, Indigenous worldviews and knowledge systems, and mutually beneficial research practices (Hayward et al., 2021). The overarching aim of this thesis is to explore how all types of researchers would engage with emerging Indigenous developed guidelines for research within their respective territories. This thesis aims to achieve two main objectives: (O1) Identify current practices and mechanisms being used by academic researchers to build and strengthen relationships with Kluane First Nation, and (O2) Explore how researchers would approach aligning their current research practices with the expectations expressed in Kluane First Nations' Research Expectations. In the Lhùʼààn Mânʼ (Kluane Lake) region of southwest Yukon - the Traditional Territory of Kluane First Nation (KFN), Champagne and Aishihik First Nation (CAFN) and White River First Nation (WRFN) - has a long history of research activity. In 2018, Kluane First Nation initiated the Bringing Research Home (BRH) project to support its ability to actively drive, participate and benefit from research conducted within Kluane First Nation Traditional Territory. Through this project, several tools and mechanisms were established to direct all types of research activity - including Kluane First Nation's Research Expectations (e.g. a community-developed guideline for researchers). Chapter 2 (Literature Review) explores the historical context of institutional research with Indigenous Peoples - including the institutional ethical requirements for research, Indigenous self-determination in research and key events that have shifted how research is conducted with Indigenous Peoples and Nations across Canada. Chapter 3 (Methods) outlines the methods used throughout the thesis. This research utilizes a participatory research approach and involves collaboration with Kluane First Nation's Lands, Resource and Heritage Department at all phases of the project. Using Kluane First Nation's Research Expectations as a framework, this research engaged directly with academic researchers working in the Lhù'ààn Mân region using a series of semi-structured interviews (n=17), participant observations and informal workshops (Chapter 4). Chapter 4 is a stand-alone article analyzing the research conducted with academic researchers' working in the Lhù'ààn Mân region to explore their perspectives on current relationship-building practices and emerging community-developed research guidelines. Current mechanisms being used by researchers to align research practices with existing frameworks for ethical research with Indigenous Peoples include (1) land acknowledgements, (2) inclusion of Indigenous placenames, (3) sharing job opportunities, (4) sharing research publications, (5) attending community events and (6) submitting relevant research licenses. Analyses of researcher perspectives also illuminated factors that influence engagement with emerging Indigenous-developed guidelines for research. These include (1) lack of foundational knowledge and scope of research topic/discipline, (2) territorial research licensing systems, (3) First Nation capacity, (4) relationships between supervisors and students, (5) the COVID-19 pandemic, and (6) existing partnerships with regional entities. Several opportunities were also identified to support future relationship-building between researchers and local First Nations, including community events (such as the Kluane Lake Research Summits) and improved ethical training for natural science researchers. Chapter 5 explores my reflections on the supplemental research activities undertaken to support the research objectives of this thesis and the broader Bringing Research Home project. Framed around the Kluane Lake Research Summits, the Bringing Research Home website, and surveys for Yukon Government researchers, the key reflections included how these tools and processes support (1) Indigenous perspectives on reconciliation, (2) engagement in reflexivity in research, (3) fostering collaboration across scales and sectors, (4) engagement during and after community disruptions, (5) promoting opportunities for youth in research, and (6) improving researchers' foundational knowledge. Chapter 6 includes a final discussion and conclusion of the thesis findings, looking at the implications for the broader research context and contributions to policy, including implications for institutional training requirements and responsibilities to uphold Indigenous rights in alignment with national and international frameworks and policies.enAttribution 4.0 Internationalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Relationship-buildingFirst Nation communitiesIndigenous-developed research protocolsCommunity-based researchEthical frameworks for researchResearcher perspectivesKluane First NationResearch protocols and guidelinesThesis