April Blackbird and Michael Dudley Discuss their 2018 ISSP Research Project and Recent Publication
Recently, the Faculty of Graduate Studies caught up with April Blackbird (pictured) and Michael Dudley, the University of Winnipeg's Community Outreach Librarian, to discuss their experience colloborating together on a research project for the 2018 Indigenous Summer Scholars Program, and the recent publication in the new book "Approaches to Liaison Librarianship: Innovations in Organization and Engagement” that explores their project: what kind of research it was, how they did it, what they learned from it, why such research is important and how it could be replicated elsewhere.
Michael, you've mentored quite a few students throughout the program's history. What was your research project for the 2018 Indigenous Summer Scholars Program?
The project involved reviewing the print books in the Library’s E 99 section – or ethnographies by Indigenous tribe – for information related to Indigenous science, empiricism or Traditional Ecological Knowledge. With only a handful of books in the Library entirely and explicitly related to these topics, I wanted to know if we could find “hidden” such content in general ethnographic books, and then document it in such a way so that it could be made more accessible in the Library catalogue. This was very much an experiment – not only had the Library never done anything like this, I’d not encountered this type of project in the literature either. I was very fortunate to have April Blackbird on board as our ISSP student: she was a dedicated and enthusiastic collaborator, and we learned a lot over the course of the summer, not only in terms of processes but also in the critical insights she brought to the contents she reviewed.
April, you spent the Summer of 2018 collaborating on a research project with Michael. What was your role on the project and what did you find was the most rewarding aspect of the research project?
My role on this project was essentially to assist Michael analyze text, then collect and record any information I could find on Indigenous math and science within the University of Winnipeg Library’s collection.
The most rewarding aspect of this research project was the opportunity to use the skills and knowledge I acquired throughout my academic career to contribute to what I consider an important discussion. From a personal growth perspective, I believe it is essential to challenge myself as a part of my own decolonization process, here that meant confronting what little I knew about Indigenous math and science. I learned and grew a great deal from this experience and hope that our work expands minds the way it did mine.
Recenlty, a chapter titled: "Uncovering Indigenous Knowledge at the Cultural Interface: Liaison-led Initiatives to Decolonize Academic Library Collections" exploring your project was published in the new book "Approaches to Liaison Librarianship: Innovations in Organization and Engagement".
Can you tell us a bit about your experience co-authoring a research project?
Michael: While the project was underway we both realized that it was significant and I suggested that we keep our eyes open for publishing or conference opportunities. It didn’t take too long for an appropriate-looking call for chapters to cross my desk, and I forwarded it to April, after which we quickly hammered out a proposal, which was accepted. The writing process was fairly seamless: I took the lead on describing the local and professional context for the project as well as our process – the latter of which I adapted from the original proposal – while April researched and wrote the literature review. We then both co-wrote the analysis and then each provided a reflection. We were really pleased that the chapter was so well-received by the book’s editors and I’m very excited to now finally have it in hand!
April: I really appreciated Michael’s guidance, willingness to listen and reflect on our experience throughout the course of this project, because it isn’t always easy to have open and honest conversations about racism. In our case, it was important to address the natural power dynamics that would exist going into a research project like this one (i.e. Michael as the white, settler lead researcher and myself as his assistant – an Indigenous woman). Writing this chapter really allowed us to reflect on this aspect of our collaboration, and our discussions resulted in my honest reflection regarding how deeply cultural harm (via academia) has impacted me.
April, how has this experience shaped how you view research? Are you currently working on any projects?
Although I’ve been fortunate and have had opportunities to engage in research outside of the ISSP, Michael’s research question was unique and not one I would’ve ever thought to investigate. This experience shaped my view on research, by widening my perspective on it. The ISSP really broadened my scope on Indigenous research by introducing me to topics from various departments that I otherwise never would have considered.
Currently, I am assisting Dr. Shauna Mackinnon in the Urban and Inner City Studies Department on a book she is editing with the working title Indigenous Resistance and Institutional Development in Winnipeg: 1950-2019. The research has involved interviewing key grassroots Indigenous actors and locating primary sources in Winnipeg’s various archives. This is another project I am excited to be part of because the key objective is to tell the history of Indigenous Resistance in Winnipeg (between 1950-2019) from the perspective of the Indigenous people involved.
The 2021 Indigenous Summer Scholars program starts on May 3rd. What advice do you have to share to any students or research supervisors who are interested in the program?
Michael: I think that both the supervisors and the students should look at it as an opportunity to engage in mutual learning. I had had an initial sense of what I thought the project should look like, but then once April was on board and getting hands-on experience, I learned from her insights as to what was working and what wasn’t. This same mutual learning carried through to writing the chapter, and involved some frankly critical self-examination. Probably the most significant thing I learned from April concerned the difficulties she experienced when encountering some of the Library’s (especially older) books that contained negative stereotypes regarding Indigenous peoples. As you will read in the chapter, we both concluded that this sort of project requires built-in provisions for cultural safety for the researcher.
While my original goal for the project wasn’t realized – it turned out to be a far more complex and time-consuming task than could be reasonably achieved over a single summer! – I was able to apply the lessons April and I learned to two subsequent ISSP projects related to Indigenous languages in our E 99 collection, which resulted in enhanced cataloguing descriptions for hundreds of books. We now have an Indigenous Science Library subject guide (https://libguides.uwinnipeg.ca/c.php?g=709402) but I would still like at some point to have another Indigenous research assistant on board to take up where April left off and continue to describe and improve access to Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge in the UW Library. Our chapter also argues that this sort of research into improving access to Indigenous content is important for any academic library and should ideally be staffed by an Indigenous research assistant on an ongoing basis, so I’m hoping the biggest legacy of the project may be similar initiatives elsewhere!
April: My advice to 2021 ISSP participants is to connect with one another and not be afraid to talk about how your research makes you feel. Not everyone develops positive coping mechanisms for dealing with the cultural harm that is sometimes involved in our academic pursuits. My advice to researchers is to address any power dynamics that might exist and try to develop a positive and open dialogue about how that might affect your working relationship and research. This is what I feel helped me do my best and most authentic work with Michael.
Thank you both for sharing your experience with us!