The Odyssey of Oral History Interviewing in Community-Based Action Research: Exploring Indigenous Knowledges and Food Sovereignty in Fisher River, Manitoba, Canada

Abstract

A team of four students and one faculty member from the University of Winnipeg, as well as two community representatives, undertook a collaborative action-research project in Fisher River Cree Nation, Manitoba, Canada, to explore Indigenous knowledges associated with cultivation, production, and consumption practices of traditional foods and community food security. Previous research on community food security has mostly used quantitative approaches and not given adequate attention to Indigenous perspectives and Indigenous knowledges associated with food. Our research, therefore, underscores the value and significance of communities' Indigenous knowledge systems and their perspectives and prescriptions on enhancing Indigenous food sovereignty. We employed oral history interviewing as the main research method and used social learning to guide our data collection relating to Indigenous food sovereignty. This method was used to conduct in-depth interviews with 17 community members and elders. Our experiences, challenges, and some practical lessons for future researchers are provided in this case study to help student researchers who will be engaged in work relating to food sovereignty, oral history, and action-oriented participatory approaches.

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