Indigenizing Science: Applying the Thirteen Moons Framework to an Indigenous Research Paradigm to Understand Indigenous Aquaculture Practices

There is a need for Indigenous knowledge-driven methodologies to guide environmental research that grows from that place and its people. Indigenous research is community-driven, and the underlying research questions are framed around and based on needs identified together with the community and researcher. Indigenous knowledge-driven research methodologies enable place-based pedagogy and Indigenous epistemologies and methodologies to promote Indigenous self-determination, knowledge, learning and science. This project provided a theoretical framework that can be utilized to develop place-based Indigenous research methodologies. This project addresses the need for research grounded and guided by the values, epistemologies, and original teachings of Indigenous people and to move beyond an ‘“Indigenous perspective in scientific research’ to researching from an Indigenous paradigm.”

Project background

Many Indigenous cultures traditionally use a lunar calendar to guide their year, often referred to as the 13 Moons. Cycling about every 28 days, each of the 13 Moons marks a seasonal change, intimately connecting the passage of time to the natural environment. Too often, Western research methodologies devalue Indigenous perspectives. Incorporating frameworks such as the 13 Moons into research could promote Indigenous self-determination, knowledge, learning and science.

Results and findings

With funding from Washington Sea Grant, researchers created a model for studying Indigenous aquaculture practices in a manner that prioritizes ethical, transformative, participatory and decolonizing approaches, and that foregrounds the needs of Indigenous communities. The model was based on the practices of the Northwest Indian College’s (NWIC) host community, Lummi Nation. The team emphasized relationship-building, meeting with collaborators from Hawaii, British Columbia, and more to participate in cross-cultural knowledge exchanges and meet with Indigenous aquaculture practitioners throughout the Pacific. The team also implemented a new Indigenous aquaculture course at NWIC, engaging students in place-based curricula and inspiring several to base their capstone projects on Indigenous aquaculture practices and research methodologies.

Contact information

Emma Norman
Department Chair
Native Environmental Science, Northwest Indian College
360.392.4309
enorman@nwic.edu