Research is Ceremony, Dr Shawn Wilson

Dr Shawn Wilson points out something important about decolonial epistemology reflections: the link between spirituality, research, and ceremony. This is something I didn’t think about before, mainstream occidental academics never talk about the close relationship between knowledge and spirituality. Understanding indigenous research as a ritual and ceremonial exercise implies different levels of responsibility, reciprocity, and respect. This implies being aware of the relationships you establish as a researcher and watching out for little miracles as the result of the ritual. But, above all, it is being able to incorporate the process, in all its complexity, into your own life. To do indigenous research is to be part of a relationship that goes beyond answering a question.