It’s important to attribute both:
This provides fair attribution which is often lacking due to historical misinformation, poor recordkeeping, purposeful destruction, and privileging of Western perspectives.
When citing and referencing sources of Indigenous Knowledge, you need to:
The IKAT provides examples in APA style, however these can be adapted to the MLA 9th style. The MLA Handbook and MLA Style Centre provide guidance for referencing Indigenous Oral Teachings (see below). Note that as MLA is a US based style, their example relates to a North American Indigenous person and nation. Check with your lecturer if you plan to use the IKAT principles in your work.
Information shared directly by an Indigenous person is often cited as a variation of the personal communication rule. Personal communications are usually not recorded or published and therefore are not recoverable by readers.
Person’s surname (Nation/Country/Language Group)
OR
(Person’s surname Nation/Country/Language Group)
Last Name, First Name (Nation/Country/Language Group). Description of teaching. Day Month Year, Location where teaching was given.
Cardinal, Delores (Goodfish Lake Cree Nation). Oral teaching, Treaty 6. 4 Apr. 2004, Canadian Native Friendship Centre.
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