Decolonizing methodologies are informed academically
by critical theory—particularly the work of Freire
(2005)—and are grounded politically in specific indigenous
contexts and histories, struggles, and ideals
(Denzin & Lincoln, 2008; Smith, 1999). Accordingly,
Denzin and Lincoln explained that decolonizing methodologies
are taken up as a form of localized critical
theory that is grounded in the meanings, traditions, and
relations of each indigenous setting.
Decolonizing methodologies do not constitute a single
agreed upon set of guidelines or methods. The hallmark
of decolonizing research is the process of valuing,
reclaiming, and foregrounding indigenous voices
and epistemologies. Such research recognizes that
non-Western knowledge forms are often marginalized
in traditional research paradigms, and that these paradigms
need to be deconstructed and challenged as ‘natural’
approaches to research. The methodologies and
methods of research, including the theories that inform
them, the questions they generate, and the forms of
writing they employ, need to be considered carefully
before being applied, as they are inextricably tied into
issues of power, knowledge, and representation (Smith,
1999).
Decolonizing methodologies engage an explicit social
justice agenda, emphasizing the power of local subjugated
knowledges for invoking meaningful transformation
within the lives of local people, and, ultimately,
facilitating their liberation from forms of domination
and oppression that reduce control over their own lives.
Through this lens, indigenous research is not an innocent
or distant academic exercise, but an activity that
has something at stake (i.e., knowledge and power) and
that occurs in a set of political and social conditions.
Such research becomes linked to larger indigenous
efforts to create an equitable (postcolonial) society.
Indigenous and cultural scholars within sport psychology
have advocated for decolonizing methodologies as
a means of promoting ethical engagement with traditionally
marginalized communities (Forsyth & Heine,
2010; Ryba & Schinke, 2009). Through decolonizing
processes, researchers consider the ways in which
sport/physical activity experiences are shaped by culture
and work to create more inclusive, culturally
affirming sport spaces that facilitate community health
and well-being.
