LibGuides: Indigenous Studies: Citing Indigenous Sources

Selected Books

Elements of Indigenous Style: A Guide for Writing By and About Indigenous Peoples by Gregory Younging
Call Number: CGC EN.Y68 2018 & Ebook
ISBN: 9781550597165
Publication Date: 2018

Alaska Native Studies Council Writing Style Guide by Sean Asiqłuq Topkok, Ph.D.
PDF document with option to read in browser. "The Alaska Native Studies Council (ANSC) Writing Style Guide (a living document) was officially adopted at the 2018 ANSC Conference in Juneau, Alaska."

Acknowledging Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers

Citation formats do not have a format for Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers; NorQuest College Library developed a citation style in the spirit of wahkôhtowin and reconciliation:

Unlike most other personal communications, Elders and Knowledge Keepers should be cited in-text and in the reference list.
The citation format for the reference list follows the following format:
- Last name, First name., Nation/Community. Treaty Territory if applicable. City/Community they live in if applicable. Topic/subject of communication if applicable. Date Month Year.
- Cardinal, Delores., Goodfish Lake Cree Nation. Treaty 6. Lives in Edmonton. Oral teaching. 4 April 2004.

Note: If you would like to approach an Elder or Knowledge Keeper for teachings, remember to follow protocol or if you are unsure what their protocol is, please ask them ahead of time.

Additional Resources:

"More Than Personal Communication: Templates for Citing Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers"
This article by Lorisia MacLeod from the 22 Jun 2021 issue of Knowledge Creation, Dissemination, and Preservation Studies introduces citation templates and guidance that she created in partnership with the staff at the NorQuest Indigenous Student Centre.
"Chapter 6: Elder Citation" in Indigenous Information Literacy by Rachel Chong
This chapter from Chong's 2021 Pressbook includes citation templates based off of Lorisia MacLeod's work, as well as short videos on citing elders using several citation styles.

Indigenous Information Literacy

Indigenous Information Literacy by Rachel Chong
"This book outlines best principles for working with Indigenous print and oral sources in academic research. Topics include evaluating Indigenous print sources for credibility and authenticity, finding Indigenous authors, and respectfully working with Elders."
Source Evaluation by Rachel Chong (9:16 min)
In this video, part of the Indigenous Information Literacy instruction series, Rachel Chong reviews how to evaluate sources by and about Indigenous Peoples.
Elders and Respectful Research by Rachel Chong (6:47 min)
In this video, part of the Indigenous Information Literacy instruction series, Rachel Chong reviews "how to respectfully engage with Elders and Knowledge Keepers throughout the research process."

Cite Your Sources

For citation guidance for general journal articles, books, and media materials like DVDs, see our Citation Style Guidelines research guide below.

Citation Style Guidelines
by Jennifer Ward Last Updated Nov 15, 2023 254 views this year