Photo for The Banaue Declaration: Guidelines for...

Participants at the Global Indigeneity Conference. (Photo provided by S. Acabado.)

This declaration, developed at the Global Indigeneity Conference in Banaue, Ifugao in August 2024, will guide academics and researchers aiming to engage meaningfully with Indigenous communities.

It emphasizes the importance of moving beyond extractive research practices and advocates for genuine partnerships that respect and foreground Indigenous voices. The Banaue Declaration is a call to action for all of us to embrace a transformative approach to research, ensuring that our work is ethical, inclusive, and truly serves the communities we work with.

Here are the key principles outlined in the declaration:

1. Indigeneity is not Monolithic: The declaration reminds us that Indigenous identities are diverse, plural and complex. It urges researchers to approach each community with humility and an understanding that there is no single narrative or experience that defines Indigeneity.

2. Representation, Co-Authorship, and Intellectual Property: It emphasizes that Indigenous peoples should be recognized as co-authors and co-creators in research endeavors. This includes, that researchers should accept that Indigenous peoples own and control, and possess their knowledges and their continued access to these knowledges is vital. Their knowledge, perspectives, and experiences must be integral to the research process, ensuring that outcomes reflect the realities of Indigenous communities.

3. Respecting Informed Consent: The declaration asserts that adherence to informed consent is non-negotiable. Researchers must obtain clear and informed consent from communities before initiating any research activities, with ongoing consent and the right to withdraw at any stage.

4. Addressing Historical Wrongs: It calls on researchers to acknowledge and address historical wrongs inflicted upon Indigenous communities, challenging harmful narratives and existing law and policies abiding and premised upon such historical wrongs, and contributing to the healing and reconciliation/resurgence of these communities.

5. Power Dynamics and Ethical Engagement: Researchers should be aware of the power dynamics between academia and Indigenous communities, ensuring that these dynamics do not perpetuate inequality. Engagement should be collaborative, with active community involvement in all research aspects.

6. Respect for Diverse Ways of Knowing: Indigenous knowledges must be respected and valued on their own terms. Researchers should respect methodologies that honor the ways in which Indigenous communities understand and interact with the world.

7. Commitment to Giving Back: The Declaration stresses that research should not be an extraction of knowledge. Instead, it should be a mutual reciprocal process that benefits Indigenous communities through capacity-building, accessible dissemination of research outcomes, or support for community-driven initiatives.

8. Due Regard for Indigenous Peoples' Self-Ascription: The Declaration underscores the importance of giving due regard to Indigenous peoples' inherent right to define for themselves their collective aspirations, identities, and histories. Researchers should support and respect this right.


The Global Indigeneity 2024 Conference Participants:

Name

Affiliation

Abdellatif Bencherifa

Université Internationale de Rabat Morocco

Abel Valenzuela

UCLA

Alghani Mohammad

Western Mindanao State University

Analyn Salvador Amores

University of the Philippines Baguio

Aomar Boum

UCLA

Armand Camhol

Ifugao State University

Arnel Zarcedo

Partido State University

Berhana Flores

Western Mindanao State University

Carla Ochotorena

Western Mindanao State University

Charmaine Wong

Yale Peabody Museum

Chih-hua Chiang

National Taiwan University

Da-wei Kuan

National Chengchi University

Earl John Hernandez

UCLA

Emelie Tan

Western Mindanao State University

Eulalie Dulnuan

Save the Ifugao Terraces Movement

Eva Codamon-Duyon

Ifugao State University

Evelyn Dunuan

Ifugao Community Member

Florence Zapico

Mindanao State University-General Santos

Francisco Datar

Independent Scholar

Geraldine de Jesus

Sorsogon State University

Guy Charlton

University of New England

H. Francisco Peñones Jr.

Bicol University

Iman Nagy

UCLA

Inocente Locson

Western Mindanao State University

Jeremy Bittag

Ifugao State University

Jesse Ordonez, Jr.

Pangasinan Polytechnic University

Jiellzon Jaime Villarama

Western Mindanao State University

Jimmy Fong

University of the Philippines-Baguio

Joao Paulo Reginaldo

University of the Philippines-Baguio

John Jay Morido

Mindanao State University-General Santos

John Michael Macaya

Mindanao State University-General Santos

Joshua David

UCLA

Joy Capistrano

Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology

Jude Baggo

Ifugao State University

Justeen Frances Manuel

Sorsogon State University

Karen Eyre Artiaga

Partido State University

Karmin C.D. Daytec Yangot

University of the Philippines-Baguio

Kevin Marc Bejerano

Western Mindanao State University

Kristian Sendon Cordero

Savage Mind Bookshop

Leih Anne Odono

Partido State University

Liang-Yu Chen

National Chengchi University

Ling-Wen Hsu

National Chengchi University

Love Batoon

Mindanao State University-General Santos

Ludivena Lagrio

Mindanao State University-General Santos

Ma. Nora Lai

Western Mindanao State University

Ma. Riza Lopez

Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology

Madeleine Yakal

UCLA

Manuel Macuja Elizalde

UCLA

Marlon Martin

Save the Ifugao Terraces Movement

Melanie Lear

Western Mindanao State University

Michael John Jamora

Sorsogon State University

Mitsuhiko Takahashi

University of Toyama

Nguyet Tong

UCLA

Nicholas Gani

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

Norman King

Mamisulung Geran Karapatan Ayta Ha Lutan Ninuno Ha Balayan Porac buy Angeles City

Norman Ralph B. Isla

Mindanao State University-General Santos

Patricia Candelaria

Partido State University

Quang Dai Tuyen (Isvan)

Nguyen Tat Thanh University

Rachel Guimbatan-Fadgyas

Save the Ifugao Terraces Movement

Rae Macapagal

University of the Philippines-Baguio

Raymond Estrada

Partido State University

Raymond Marvic C. Baguilat

University of the Philippines-Diliman

Raymundo Rovillos

Pangasinan Polytechnic University

Rhea Ayop

Mindanao State University-General Santos

Rojin Ryanly Mondero

Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology

Ronaldo Abaa

Western Mindanao State University

Ru Hungyu

National Dong Hwa University

Sayun Simung

Sqoyaw Community

Sean Buffington

Henry Luce Foundation

Stephanie Ayahao

Ifugao State University

Stephen Acabado

UCLA

Tian-Huei Wang

National Chengchi University

Usman D. Aragasi

Mindanao State University-General Santos

Venzer Jay Penute

Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology

Xing Hang

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Yapit.Tali

National Chengchi University

Yayut Chen (Yi-hsuan Chen)

NCCU

Yi-chin Wu

National Taiwan University



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Published: Monday, October 7, 2024