Sources and Methods in Indigenous Studies 

Sources and Methods in Indigenous Studies is a synthesis of changes and innovations in methodologies in Indigenous Studies, focusing on sources over a broad chronological and geographical range. Written by a group of highly respected Indigenous Studies scholars from across an array of disciplines, this collection offers insight into the methodological approaches contributors take to research, and how these methods have developed in recent years.

The book has a two-part structure that looks, firstly, at the theoretical and disciplinary movement of Indigenous Studies within history, literature, anthropology, and the social sciences. Chapters in this section reveal that, while engaging with other disciplines, Indigenous Studies has forged its own intellectual path by borrowing and innovating from other fields. In part two, the book examines the many different areas with which sources for indigenous history have been engaged, including the importance of family, gender, feminism, and sexuality, as well as various elements of expressive culture such as material culture, literature, and museums. Together, the chapters offer readers an overview of the dynamic state of the field in Indigenous Studies.

This book shines a spotlight on the ways in which scholarship is transforming Indigenous Studies in methodologically innovative and exciting ways, and will be essential reading for students and scholars in the field.

Introduction – Indigenous Studies: An appeal for methodological promiscuity

CHRIS ANDERSEN AND JEAN M. O’BRIEN

Part I Emerging from the past

Chapter 1 Historical sources and methods in Indigenous Studies: Touching on the past, looking to the future

JEAN M. O’BRIEN

Chapter 2 Reflections on Indigenous literary nationalism: On home grounds, singing hogs, and cranky critics

DANIEL HEATH JUSTICE

Chapter 3 History, anthropology, Indigenous Studies

PAULINE TURNER STRONG

Chapter 4 Reclaiming the statistical “native”: Quantitative historical research beyond the pale

CHRIS ANDERSEN, TAHU KUKUTAI

Part II Alternative sources and methodological reorientations

Chapter I Reframing Indigenous Studies

Chapter II All in the family

Chapter III Feminism, gender, and sexuality

Chapter IV Indigenous literature and expressive culture

Chapter V Indigenous peoples in and beyond the state