Anthropology and the Decolonization of Research in Native Studies
This paper examines the significance of fieldwork in the production of anthropological knowledge and the position of anthropologist in a context of decolonization of research. The author considers the fieldwork and the ethnographical practice as a dynamic process involving concepts such as those of creativity, improvisation, involvement and reflexivity, particularly important when working on politically sensitive themes of research such as spirituality and healing among First Nations of Quebec. Based on his experience with Atikamekw people from Quebec and through contesting situations of research, this article addresses several questions : what is an anthropological fieldwork today? How researchers should think the fieldwork and the ethnographical process in the context of multiplication of ethic codes and research protocols?