Advancing an Indigenous Ecology within LIS Education

This article explores whether library and information science (LIS) education can incorporate an ethical learning environment based on indigenous worldview. Such a space is an indigenous ecology where relationships between people can be forged based on traditional knowledges. Connections between the indigenous ecology, information ethics, and social justice theory are drawn as a prelude to considering indigenous worldview. The protocols or behaviors and values within the ecological system are described. Indigenous perspectives on research methods are introduced, providing a background for considering approaches to study within the indigenous ecology. Finally, several case-specific examples are offered that illustrate features of the indigenous ecology. These features are mapped according to the concept of the medicine wheel/circle, acknowledging that various strengths and challenges are associated with the cardinal directions. The indigenous ecology provides a means for respecting diversity while reinterpreting strongly held professional values, such as those related to access to information.