Principles of Indigenous Evaluation

A post from Fiona Cram, Co-Chair, EvalIndigenous

You may have noticed that we here at EvalIndigenous have been assembling open access Indigenous Evaluation Resources. It's been a pleasantly surprising exercise to see the resources that are available. And of course there's room for many more resources about Indigenous evaluation principles, guidance, methods and practice examples - so keep writing. For now, here are seven inter-related principles of Indigenous evaluation that the resources we've gathered touch upon.

Self-Determination
Self-determination is a foundational principle that acknowledges the sovereignty of Indigenous peoples and upholds their rights to  self-governance. This principle ensures that Indigenous peoples have the authority to shape every aspect of an evaluation, from design and implementation to the interpretation and use of findings. By maintaining control, Indigenous peoples can ensure that the evaluation aligns with their cultural values, priorities, and long-term visions for development. Evaluation should therefore provide Indigenous peoples with the tools and knowledge to make informed decisions and advocate for their wellbeing.

Relational Accountability
​Relational accountability is a core principle in Indigenous evaluation, emphasizing the interconnected nature of relationships within and between Indigenous peoples, their environment and the cosmos. It underscores the responsibility of evaluators to uphold respectful and reciprocal relationships throughout the evaluation process. This principle is deeply rooted in the understanding that relationships are not merely transactional but sacred and enduring. Evaluators are expected to engage with Indigenous peoples in a manner that is respectful of their traditions, social structures, and values. This involves a long-term commitment, recognizing that the relationship does not end when the evaluation project concludes.

Cultural Responsiveness and Respect
​Cultural responsiveness  in Indigenous evaluation involves tailoring evaluation frameworks to reflect the values, practices, and worldviews of the specific Indigenous peoples that are involved. This principle acknowledges the diversity within Indigenous peoples and avoids a one-size-fits-all approach. Evaluations respect local traditions, languages, and cultural protocols, ensuring that the process and outcomes are meaningful to the Indigenous peoples. In addition, respecting Indigenous knowledge systems involves honouring oral traditions, storytelling, and other non-Western forms of knowledge transmission as legitimate and valuable data sources.

Ethical Responsibility and Data Sovereignty
Ethical responsibility in Indigenous evaluation emphasizes protecting the rights and dignity of Indigenous peoples. Evaluators must adhere to culturally appropriate ethical standards, including obtaining Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). Data sovereignty is a critical component, meaning that communities retain control over how their data is collected, used, and shared. This principle counters historical patterns of exploitation and ensures that data serves the interests of Indigenous peoples. It aligns with global movements advocating for Indigenous rights and recognizes the importance of self-determined research and evaluation practices.

Reciprocity
Reciprocity in Indigenous evaluation ensures that the process is mutually beneficial, going beyond data collection to provide tangible benefits to Indigenous peoples. This principle is about giving back in meaningful ways, recognizing the Indigenous peoples' contributions and ensuring that the evaluation process is not extractive. Evaluators are expected to share the knowledge generated from the evaluation in accessible formats, enabling Indigenous peoples to use the findings to inform their decisions and improve their practices. Furthermore, reciprocity involves mutual learning, where both evaluators and Indigenous peoples gain insights and skills.

Holistic Approach
A holistic approach in Indigenous evaluation recognizes the interconnected nature of various aspects of life—social, cultural, environmental, spiritual, and economic. Unlike conventional evaluations that may focus narrowly on predefined metrics, holistic evaluations consider the broader impacts on Indigenous people's well-being. This approach takes into account how programs affect relationships, cultural practices, and the environment, acknowledging that improvements in one area often contribute to benefits in others. This aligns with Indigenous ways of knowing, which often see, for example, spirituality, health and family well-being, cultural connectedness,, and community development as interdependent.

Capacity Building
Indigenous evaluations aim to enhance the skills and knowledge of Indigenous peoples so they can conduct their evaluations in the future. Capacity building includes training in data collection, analysis, and use. It is also about fostering a structural analysis of how the potential of Indigenous peoples is often stifled by societal barriers and racism. This principle supports the broader goal of enabling Indigenous peoples to take ownership of their development and governance. It ensures that the benefits of evaluation extend beyond the immediate project, contributing to long-term resilience and self-determination.

Concluding Remark
​Together with the other guidance from the assembled indigenous evaluation resources, these principles create a framework that is respectful and ethical, as well as relevant to the unique contexts of Indigenous peoples. Adherence to the guidance offered and these principles will help ensure that evaluations contribute positively to Indigenous peoples' aspirations, rather than being extractive by only serving external interests.

Also available in Spanish: Principios de Evaluación Indígena - Fiona Cram (Spanish version by Celeste).pdf