This paper looks at Canadian history and the injustices that indigenous groups have suffered through. More specifically, this paper is an in-depth look at how researchers have affected the life of indigenous people in a harmful way but how research could still be beneficial for these groups as long...
Presented to Prof Jennifer Boland
and Fleur Esteron
In the course COMS 3002S
Carleton University
, The belief that research helps improve certain situations would be true if it weren’t for
all of the miss-conduct that has taken place. Throughout the years indigenous communities have
allowed researchers to learn about their cultures and their way of life in hopes of an improvement
for many aspects of their lives these days. However, many occurrences of questionable research
practices have generated a mistrust against researchers in the indigenous communities. Even
though there has been little to no benefit thus far in terms of past research on these communities,
it is important to consider changing these unethical practices. A different, ethical and educated
approach could substantially improve success rate and regain trust with these communities. This
paper will discuss several key concepts in hopes to display an image of some of injustices that
the indigenous have endured as well as some insight on how research could still be helpful and
not harmful.
Looking back at Canadian history, the indigenous have suffered through a lot of injus-
tices. These moments in history have created a seemingly never ending struggle for the indige-
nous communities across Canada. There have been some improvements but nothing substantial
enough to have made a large impact or difference on the quality of life for these existing tribes
and communities. We know that there has been research and efforts made to analyze the commu-
nities and possibly help them. However, a lot of the information and results are not properly
taken care of therefore, no changes or improvements can be made for these vulnerable communi-
ties. Furthermore, there are different types of researchers who enter these communities. They
should all have one goal in mind but some come into these communities with ill intent and be-
come more problematic than helpful (Van den Hoonaard, 2019). For example, there are re-
searchers who research the indigenous people to death, meaning they feel over researched mainly
because so many of the researchers coming to gather information often use questionable prac-
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