Project Overview
This project is an oral history collection initiative focused on Indigenous communities in Canada. It involves the documentation and preservation of oral histories shared by community members through consent-based, collaborative research practices.
The project is grounded in respect for Indigenous knowledge systems and recognizes community authority over how oral histories are recorded, stored, interpreted, and shared. Participation, scope, and access are defined through collaboration and ongoing consent rather than institutional assumptions.
Status: In development
Research Theme: Indigenous Knowledge, Memory, and Historical Justice
Secondary Theme: Oral History, Archives, and Research Methodology
Focus Region: Canada
Background and Rationale
Oral history is a central mode of knowledge transmission within Indigenous communities, carrying historical experience, memory, and intergenerational knowledge. At the same time, many oral histories remain vulnerable due to historical disruption, displacement, and the absence of sustainable preservation infrastructures aligned with community priorities.
This project responds to these challenges by establishing an ethical framework for oral history collection that prioritizes collaboration, reciprocity, and community-defined boundaries. Rather than extracting narratives for external use, the project supports preservation practices determined by participating communities themselves.
Scope of the Project
The project focuses on:
- Collection of oral histories shared voluntarily by Indigenous community members
- Documentation of lived experience, memory, and intergenerational knowledge
- Community-guided decisions regarding access, storage, and use
- Long-term preservation strategies aligned with local priorities
The project does not assume universal applicability across Indigenous communities and does not impose standardized narrative or archival frameworks.
Collection Methodology
Community engagement
- Oral histories are collected only through informed, ongoing consent
- Community partners define the scope, terms, and conditions of participation
- Participants retain the right to withdraw or restrict materials at any stage
Recording and preservation
- Audio and/or video recording where approved
- Secure storage with clearly defined access conditions
- Written agreements governing preservation and future use
Interpretation
- Oral histories are not translated, contextualized, or analyzed without permission
- Any interpretive work occurs in dialogue with community partners
Ethics, Governance, and Safeguards
- Indigenous communities retain authority over their oral histories
- No materials are made public without explicit approval
- Sensitive or sacred knowledge is excluded from collection
- Ethical protocols are reviewed and adapted collaboratively
The project aligns with Indigenous research ethics frameworks applicable in Canada.
Outputs
Community-centered outputs
- Preserved oral history recordings for community use
- Access and copies provided according to agreed terms
Research and educational outputs
- Methodological reflections on oral history collection
- Teaching materials developed only where appropriate and approved
Public-facing outputs
- Limited, community-approved presentations or summaries
Project Leadership
Project lead:
Hanna Abakunova (Institute for Knowledge, Research, and Society)
Huseyin Oylupinar (Institute for Knowledge, Research, and Society)
Community collaboration:
Indigenous partners and advisors (defined through consultation)
Updates
- 2026 — Framework development and initial consultations
- Future phases subject to community partnership agreements