GUIDELINES FOR RESPECTING CULTURAL KNOWLEDGE
Cultural integrity: In regards to research, the researcher is
obliged to respect his or her informants and the
information they provide so that it is presented to others
in an accurate, sensitive and integrated manner.
Cultural perspective: The views generally accepted by
Elders and knowledgeable practitioners of a culture.
Cultural responsibilities: The responsibilities that
members of a particular society with its own cultural
system have to carry out to understand, promote, protect
and perpetuate cultural information and practices such as
language, art, social rules, values and beliefs, and they
must do so in an honest and sincere manner.
Culture: A system of ideas and beliefs that can be seen in
peoples’ creations and activities, which over time, comes
to characterize the people who share in the system.
Curriculum: A course, or series of courses in an educational
program. It may include stories, legends, textbooks,
materials and other types of resources for instruction.
Elders-in-residence: A program that involves Elders in
teaching and curriculum development in a formal
educational setting (oftentimes a university), and is
intended to impact the content of courses and the way
the material is taught.
Explicit recognition: Contributors to materials or
information provided by members of a cultural group
must be openly and clearly indicated. This recognition
should include their names, ethnic background, and
contributions. A researcher should allow the contributors
to review the information provided by them, prior to
publication, to insure that is accurately reflects what they
said or intended.
Guidelines: A set of rules, regulations or suggestions that
are set out for those who are going to carry out some
activity such as preparing curriculum, writing, reviewing,
or organizing materials.
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