Decolonization and Life History Research: The Life of a Native Woman

• Main Author: Wheaton-Abraham, Jyl M.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: The Pennsylvania State University Libraries 2016
• Subjects: Anthropology; Applied Anthropology; Native American Studies; Indigenous Studies; Decolonization; Indigenous Identity; Life History Research; Native American Women; Indigenous Anthropology; Indigenous Research Methods; Decolonized Research Methods; Native Studies; First Nations Studies; Feminist Anthropology; Feminist Studies; First Nations
• Online Access: https://journals.psu.edu/ik/article/view/59717; https://doi.org/10.18113/P8ik259717

Focusing on stories told to the author by her mother, this life history work counters critiques that qualitative life history research is weak on method and theory by taking a decolonizing approach. Working with decolonizing theory to understand the stories shared, the author examines how the continued colonization of native women’s minds and bodies impacts their humanity in both perception and treatment by others. The author discuses decolonizing research as both action and process, considers the effectiveness of a decolonizing strategy in life history research, and calls on others to take a decolonizing approach in their own work.