Culturally Sensitive Field Protocol: The Manomin Project

This field protocol was developed to guide respectful, ethical and culturally sensitive research activities in the project, Intensifying manomin (Zizania palustris) growth in environments altered by colonial settlement in ways that are responsive to Anishinaabe knowledge and values. The Manomin Project, funded by George Weston Ltd., aims to integrate environmental data retrieved by University of Guelph (UofG) researchers with cultural and ecological knowledge from Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation with the objective of restoring Manomin (commonly known in English as “wild rice”) on the Upper Winnipeg River. At present, the Research Ethics Board at U of G does not recognize Manomin as a spirit being like the Anishinabeg do. Due to differences in cultural beliefs and ways of knowing, it was essential to the project that a culturally sensitive field protocol be developed to sustain a healthy and respectful relationship between U of G researchers, Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation (NAN), and Manomin (a non-human collaborator).

本实地研究规程（field protocol）系为指导Manomin项目中尊重性、合乎伦理且兼具文化敏感性的研究活动而制定，该项目旨在契合阿尼什纳比族的知识体系与价值观念，在经殖民定居活动改造的生境中强化manomin（Zizania palustris，即北美野生稻）的生长。由乔治·韦斯顿有限公司（George Weston Ltd.）资助的Manomin项目（Manomin Project），旨在将圭尔夫大学（University of Guelph, UofG）研究人员获取的环境数据，与尼萨切万·阿尼什纳比族（Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation，简称NAN）的文化与生态知识相整合，目标是在温尼伯河上游恢复Manomin（英文俗称"wild rice"，即野米）的自然种群。目前，圭尔夫大学研究伦理委员会（Research Ethics Board）并未如阿尼什纳比族人一般，将Manomin视作一种精神存在。鉴于文化信仰与认知方式存在显著差异，本项目亟需制定具备文化敏感性的实地研究规程，以维系圭尔夫大学研究人员、尼萨切万·阿尼什纳比族以及Manomin（非人类协作伙伴）之间健康且相互尊重的协作关系。