“To illustrate culturally responsive methodologies is to acknowledge the local histories, traditions and Indigenous knowledge systems that inform them” Chilisa, 2011:161
Dialogues and interactions happen not only between people but more specifically, between people in particular spaces at particular times. Culturally responsible methodologies approach research by recognizing this specificity. In order to pursue knowledge and build relationships situated in time and space, it is necessary to acknowledge and honour the history and traditions of the local Indigenous people. As a nursing student, in pursuit of the knowledge, there have been many opportunities to build upon my understanding of the local Indigenous histories and traditions, both in class and individually. One of the ways that I have engaged with culturally responsible methodologies, was with my nursing class, when we took discussion about racism and indigenous health and well being, and moved them into traditional Indigenous spaces and into the outdoors. Purposely, we held these conversation in the traditional pit homes of the Secwepemc peoples and at the museum and heritage park in Kamloops. By doing this, moving the conversation space, it gave nursing students, and myself, an opportunity to engage with the rich history of Indigenous peoples , and offered a different lens for understanding health and wellbeing.
My experiences with culturally responsible methodologies, has been that through creating opportunities to expand the conversation from typical classroom to more traditional spaces and with experiential activities, I was able to gather, discuss, and reflect on what it means to provide culturally relevant and appropriate health care to Indigenous populations.