Tulia Thompson

Pacific Methodologies : Pacific Methodologies Tulia Thompson


Overview : Overview Researching within a Pacific context Indigenous theorising Third World Feminism Pacific processes and poetry Loloma : interweaving the future of Pacific research in Aotearoa


Slide3 : tali Pacific methodology as the (inter)weaving of different stories


Research within a Pacific context : Research within a Pacific context Dual process of interfacing academic systems with Pacific systems of being The eurocentric tradition of research Pacific diaspora and diversity Neo-colonial contexts


Slide5 : In a room of academics do you know the feeling the alienation the anxiety of being in a room of academics curling of toes shaking of leg tightening of stomach cracking of knuckles dryness of throat pounding of vein in temple when in a room of academics who all know but not about this feeling do you know the feeling the alienation the anxiety of being in a room of academics and fearing yourself as an academic


Slide6 : scratch that do you know the feeling the aggression the antipathy at being in a room of academics clenching of fist clamping of jaw narrowing of eyes when in a room of academics who all know but not about this feeling the aggression the antipathy at being in a room of academics and hating yourself as an academic Teresia Teaiwa


Indigenous theorizing : Indigenous theorizing ‘ [Indigenous researchers] work within their research projects or institutions as insiders within a particular paradigm or research model, and as outsiders because they are often marginalised and perceived to be representative of either a minority or a rival interest group…when in the community (“in the field”) or when sitting in on research meetings it can feel like inside-out/ outside-in research’ ( Tuhiwai Smith, 2001, pp.5).


Slide8 : ‘While the language of imperialism and colonialism has changed, the sites of struggle remain. The struggle for the validity of indigenous knowledges may no longer be over the recognition that indigenous peoples have ways of viewing the world which are unique, but over proving the authenticity of , and control over, our own forms of knowledge’ (Tuhiwai Smith, 2001,pp.104)


Third World Feminism : Third World Feminism Poetic and personal writing style Autobiography as political commentary Mix of Indigenous language and English


Slide10 : Chela Sandoval “The Methodology of the Oppressed” (Sandoval, 2001)


Pacific Processes : Pacific Processes ‘One of the many tools available to the coloniser – to subjugate, assimilate, and colonise indigenous minds – was education….colonial education backfired on its masters and was used to undermine, challenge and deconstruct imperialist master discourses. Literacy was one of the tools/ weapons embraced by Pacific peoples’ (Marsh, 2000,pp.137-8).


Slide12 : ‘Consciously and unconsciously I have searched for Nei Nim’anoa within my blood, among friends and lovers, along lines of thought, and in my broken Gilbertese’ (Teaiwa, 1995pp.ix).


Loloma: interweaving the future of Pacific research in Aotearoa : Loloma: interweaving the future of Pacific research in Aotearoa Loloma - love or compassion Loma-kasa - intelligence Vinaka vaka levu