Indigenous sovereignty in research and epistemic justice: Truth telling through research

Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing are based on embodied sovereignty, relationality and countless generations of knowledge sharing. We call for epistemic justice in which Indigenous knowledge systems are recognised and valued in research-related contexts. We draw attention to how colonial k...

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Main Authors: Raglan Maddox, Melody E. Morton Ninomiya
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Global Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17441692.2024.2436436
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author Raglan Maddox
Melody E. Morton Ninomiya
author_facet Raglan Maddox
Melody E. Morton Ninomiya
author_sort Raglan Maddox
collection DOAJ
description Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing are based on embodied sovereignty, relationality and countless generations of knowledge sharing. We call for epistemic justice in which Indigenous knowledge systems are recognised and valued in research-related contexts. We draw attention to how colonial knowledge systems silence, delegitimise and devalue specific knowers and ways of knowing, being and doing – through truth telling. This includes (1) the extent to which educational systems, research, practices, decisions, and reported outcomes are whitewashed – a process of structural and systemic discrimination, racism, and exclusion that actively alters or omits Indigenous and non-Euro-Western contributions and perspectives to fit Euro-Western norms and (2) whitewashed and racialised logic in scientific research that claims to be open, collaborative and transparent. Whitewashing not only obscures the history and contributions of Indigenous peoples and communities but also actively reinforces systemic biases and inequities. We assert the need for epistemic justice in public health research. Epistemic justice calls for Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination to be made visible. It may involve on how colonial policies, protocols, and regulations are connected to everyday lived inequities of Indigenous communities, families and individuals. Ultimately, epistemic justice is inherent to Indigenous peoples’ health and wellness, self-determination and sovereignty.
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spelling doaj-art-068946d9afa44ef2a916bb7fccbb027f2025-08-20T02:50:04ZengTaylor & Francis GroupGlobal Public Health1744-16921744-17062025-12-0120110.1080/17441692.2024.2436436Indigenous sovereignty in research and epistemic justice: Truth telling through researchRaglan Maddox0Melody E. Morton Ninomiya1Bagumani (Modewa) Clan; National Centre for Epidemiology and Public Health, Australian National University, Canberra, AustraliaHealth Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, CanadaIndigenous ways of knowing, being and doing are based on embodied sovereignty, relationality and countless generations of knowledge sharing. We call for epistemic justice in which Indigenous knowledge systems are recognised and valued in research-related contexts. We draw attention to how colonial knowledge systems silence, delegitimise and devalue specific knowers and ways of knowing, being and doing – through truth telling. This includes (1) the extent to which educational systems, research, practices, decisions, and reported outcomes are whitewashed – a process of structural and systemic discrimination, racism, and exclusion that actively alters or omits Indigenous and non-Euro-Western contributions and perspectives to fit Euro-Western norms and (2) whitewashed and racialised logic in scientific research that claims to be open, collaborative and transparent. Whitewashing not only obscures the history and contributions of Indigenous peoples and communities but also actively reinforces systemic biases and inequities. We assert the need for epistemic justice in public health research. Epistemic justice calls for Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination to be made visible. It may involve on how colonial policies, protocols, and regulations are connected to everyday lived inequities of Indigenous communities, families and individuals. Ultimately, epistemic justice is inherent to Indigenous peoples’ health and wellness, self-determination and sovereignty.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17441692.2024.2436436Reduced inequalitiesgood health and wellbeingpeace justice and strong institutionsSDG 10: Reduced inequalitiesSDG 3: Good health and wellbeingSDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
spellingShingle Raglan Maddox
Melody E. Morton Ninomiya
Indigenous sovereignty in research and epistemic justice: Truth telling through research
Global Public Health
Reduced inequalities
good health and wellbeing
peace justice and strong institutions
SDG 10: Reduced inequalities
SDG 3: Good health and wellbeing
SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
title Indigenous sovereignty in research and epistemic justice: Truth telling through research
title_full Indigenous sovereignty in research and epistemic justice: Truth telling through research
title_fullStr Indigenous sovereignty in research and epistemic justice: Truth telling through research
title_full_unstemmed Indigenous sovereignty in research and epistemic justice: Truth telling through research
title_short Indigenous sovereignty in research and epistemic justice: Truth telling through research
title_sort indigenous sovereignty in research and epistemic justice truth telling through research
topic Reduced inequalities
good health and wellbeing
peace justice and strong institutions
SDG 10: Reduced inequalities
SDG 3: Good health and wellbeing
SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17441692.2024.2436436
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