ABSTRACT
Zawadski describes Inuit and Indigenous research methodologies—although always culturally and territorially specific—as coming from a place of subjectivity, rather than objectivity, as is the case in western or colonial methodologies. She argues that a core component of Inuit research methodologies is situating one’s self and one’s knowledge, considering how one’s perspective, personal experience and upbringing might influence one’s research. Zawadski highlights conversation as an important Inuit epistemological way of teaching and learning. Practicing a conversational methodology, the bulk of this chapter consists of a conversation between Zawadski and a young Inuk law student, Robert Comeau. They talk about how ingenuity, practicality and respect are central to Inuit methodologies and focus importantly on the reciprocity of knowledge—the notion that one cannot just take knowledge but must reciprocate and give as well. Embodying and exemplifying the importance of reciprocity, Zawadski credits Comeau with bringing this up in their conversation, and she describes it as an important aspect of the maintenance of any knowledge system.
