How to cite Indigenous Knowledge depends on where the information is located. If the information is from a journal article, book, video, etc., cite the information according to the source type. If the information comes directly from an Elder or Knowledge Keeper, follow the template below.
In-Text:
The nature of the place was... (Cardinal, 2004).
Reference Template:
Last name, First initial. Nation/Community. Treaty Territory if applicable. Where they live if applicable. Topic/subject of communication if applicable. personal communication. Month Date, Year.
Reference Example:
Cardinal, D. Goodfish Lake Cree Nation. Treaty 6. Lives in Edmonton. Oral teaching. personal communication. April 4, 2004.
Note that APA 7th ed. says to cite Indigenous Knowledge as personal communication. But unlike other personal communications, Elders and Knowledge Keepers should be cited in-text and in the reference list. The APA template was developed by Norquest College in the spirit of wahkôhtowin and reconciliation, and we thank them for sharing. See the article below for more information.
MacLeod, L. (2021). More than personal communication: Templates for citing Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers. KULA: Knowledge Creation, Dissemination, and Preservation Studies, 5(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.18357/kula.135