Since much of Indigenous Knowledge is communicated orally, traditional citation systems have recommended the personal communication citation format as most appropriate. However, this citation format does not require that the source be listed in the references, which leaves many important Indigenous Voices out of the academic record. The suggested citation method for Oral Teachings, shown below, includes important information about the source and ensures that the source is recorded on the reference page, giving it equal weight as information presented in writing.
This format developed out of important collaborative work between Lorisia MacLeod and the Indigenous Student Centre at NorQuest College (MacLeod, 2021; TheAlbertaLibrary, 2020). Watch this video to learn more about Lorisia MacLeod’s journey and process involved in developing these templates.
Notes on Some of the Elements Included When Citing Oral Teachings
Please remember the importance of respecting and honouring any Indigenous Knowledge passed on to us by an Elder or Knowledge Keeper. Permission must be given before sharing and every effort should be made to acknowledge the source of the information. We must respect the name the Elder or Knowledge Keeper prefers to use, and the level of detail about their community and residence they wish to share.
Name of Elder or Knowledge Keeper
Often in APA titles such as Dr., Professor, or President are omitted from personal names in the reference. However, in the case of an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper or Elder you may include a title that indicates their status: for example, Chief, Grand Chief, or Elder.
For Indigenous Elders or Knowledge Keepers who use non-English names that they would like you to use, we encourage you to include this name in your citation. You may also include a second, English name if the person would like that. For more on questions about citations and Indigenous names, see this guide from Camosun College Library (n.d.).
Example:
Chief Keith Knott. Curve Lake First Nation. Williams Treaty 20. The Canoe as a Shopping Cart. Personal communication, June 13, 2024.
Throughout this guide, we offer examples and guidance for citations that refer to Elders and Knowledge Keepers. Note that titles such as Knowledge Holder, Knowledge Guardian, and others are also commonly used to denote a person who carries, sustains, and shares Indigenous knowledge in their community.
The Trent University Indigenous Protocol Guidebook (2nd edition) defines an Elder as “Someone recognized by their community as having a high degree of cultural and ceremonial knowledge. This is also used by Inuit and the Métis” (p. 15). This source further explains that a Knowledge Holder is “A person who carries significant Indigenous knowledge, including culture, history, ceremony and language” (p.15).
Nation/Community
Including the nation in the reference is important because, according to MacLeod (2021) it “...not only recognizes the important relationship of an Elder or Knowledge Keeper to their nation or community; it also helps avoid the trap of pan-Indigeneity and ensures that members of that community can find that work while searching for their nation in their library” (p. 4).
Treaty/Territory
This information may be important to the Knowledge Keeper, therefore you should ask whether they would like to include it. If the topic of the teaching relates to Treaty or Territory issues, then it is likely important to include.
Community in Which the Knowledge Keeper Resides
Again, this may be important information for the Knowledge Keeper, or Elder to acknowledge. Ask if they would like it to be included and only include with permission.