Manuhiritanga (in the Manner of Being a Guest): A Methodological Framework for Indigenous Researchers on Other Indigenous Lands

Indigenous peoples worldwide share experiences of invasion, colonialism, oppression and resistance. They share relational worldviews and are often united in their fight for human rights, Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination. There are many values and principles that are shared amongst global Indigenous communities, however, most global Indigenous communities and collectives remain culturally and linguistically distinct from each other. Common assumptions of pan-Indigenous sameness can thus produce misinterpretation and harm, including within Indigenous scholarly and research communities. Manuhiritanga is a culturally grounded research framework for Indigenous researchers working on other Indigenous lands and aims to negate this harm. As a methodology, it guides Indigenous researchers who are manuhiri (guests or visitors) or settlers (invited or uninvited), to conduct ethical and responsible research beyond their ancestral homelands. Manuhiritanga is drawn from an Aotearoa Māori concept that broadly translates to “in the manner of being a guest” and it foregrounds relationships, relational accountability and humility. Drawing on Indigenous epistemologies, ontologies and methodologies, manuhiritanga affirms the sovereignty of the Indigenous (to-elsewhere) researcher, whilst prioritising and upholding the sovereignty and safety of Indigenous peoples and lands where research is proposed and undertaken. As an Indigenous-only decolonising practice, Manuhiritanga seeks to eliminate research harm and foster ethical and reciprocal engagement across global Indigenous communities.