Prepare to arrive as guests: being manuhiri in the production of knowledge
In this discussion, nine signs emerged to help primarily non-indigenous researchers and practitioners navigate the coproduction of knowledge and practices shaping environmental outcomes.
- Alternative worlds are becoming visible and possible
- Power asymmetries are being made visible
- Invitations from indigenous peoples are accepted, and challenges are being responded to
- Indigenous ways to represent non-indigenous people are at the centre
- Stumbling, failures, and mistakes are acknowledged and redressed
- Care is taken when moving insights from one context to another
- Shared leadership is remaking institutional spaces
- Shared values are explored for points of connection
- Relationship building is prioritised.
As Dr Greenaway explains, this work supports those in the research system to move towards an unknown and as yet unknowable knowledge destination, solution or outcome.
“It may also help groups move beyond the paralysis generated when non-indigenous partners become cognisant of the enormity relational ways of caring for the environment and generated momentum for co-produced environmental and cultural practices.
“Co-produced knowledge opens alternative worlds and develops new social contracts,” Dr Greenaway says, as she and colleagues attempt to work with an ethic of reciprocity.
“We respond to invitations from Indigenous scholars, kairangahau Māori colleagues and those intentionally creating spaces in organisations, budgets and funding processes, and review practices, for Indigenous knowledge and practices.” The social knowledge has been crafted into a discussion guide (Arriving with Care) and related resources (Being Manuhiri) to support environmental researchers and practitioners to arrive with care in the places they are exploring. This work contributes to the conversation in AoNZ about how we can know we are building enduring trustful Tiriti o Waitangi-based partnerships.