Blog Post 4: How does anti-colonialism challenge normative research paradigms

Stanley (2014) discusses the MacDonald's beliefs and actions in the mid- to late-1800s with regards to Chinese people in Canada and the First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. MacDonald wanted to create and Aryan Canada by controlling Indian Affairs and immigration. He argued the Chinese might control the vote in British Columbia, thus creating a risk for European dominance. Essentially, Stanley states that Canada was created with the 1885 Chinese Immigration Act (to limit the number of Chinese people into the country), Electoral Franchise Act (to keep Chinese people out of politics), and the pacification of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people from their land.

MacDonald used “biological racism” - alleging that ethnic Chinese people have a natural, unchangeable and inescapable racial makeup – to create the Canada he envisioned. This differed from previous racism, which was built on alleged cultural characteristics that could change over time. The idea that entire races have an inherent trait, that prevents them from adapting to various environments is, as we now know, flawed.

Dei (2013) discusses Indigenous research practices in great detail, and how it differs from conventional academic research. Conventional academic research is compromised because of its ties to colonialism, which makes it incompatible with Indigenous communities. Indigenous research stresses building relationships, developing knowledge ethically to positively affect changes in research participants.

In the past, researches would typically enter a community, without knowing much about the people, their cultures and values. I would argue that the past research practices is what led to “biological racism” - making large scale allegations against community groups without knowing any individual stories. The past method does support colonial beliefs, as it creates a White vs. Other mentality. Anti-colonialism challenges normative research paradigms this way. By acknowledging and centring local knowledge, dominant research approaches are challenged.

In almost every research article I have read discussing Indigenous peoples, the researcher has taken on Indigenous research practices – embedding themselves in the community, respecting individuals and their experiences, building relationships, and creating positive change. However, I have found that this is not the case for many articles I have come across on other historically marginalized groups. Why would one not apply these effective strategies elsewhere?

References:

Dei, G. (2013). Critical perspectives on Indigenous research. Social Studies, 9(1), 27-38.

Stanley, T. (2014). John A. MacDonald and the invention of white supremacy in Canada. Canadian Issue, 29-32.