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CYSG110 Research Guide

Citing Indigenous Knowledge

The APA Style Guide does not provide guidance for citing Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers. In the spirit of reconciliation, the following guidance has been developed by Norquest College Library.

The citation format for the reference list follows the following format:

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.

For example:

Cardinal, D., Goodfish Lake Cree Nation. Treaty 6. Lives in Edmonton. Oral teaching. personal communication. April 4, 2004.

In text citations

Unlike other personal communications, Elders and Knowledge Keepers should be cited in-text and in the reference list. The in-text citation format should follow the same guidelines as noted in the paraphrase and direct quote tabs: 

Delores Cardinal described the nature of the... (2004).

OR

The nature of the place was... (Cardinal, 2004).

Note: If you would like to approach an Elder or Knowledge Keeper for teachings, remember to follow protocol or if you are unsure what their protocol is, please ask them ahead of time.

Unlike other personal communications, Elders and Knowledge Keepers should be cited in-text and in the reference list. The in-text citation format can be found under the In-Text Citation tab. The 'p' in personal communication is lower-case as the official APA style which does not capitalize it.

Source: NorQuest College Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers

How to Read Citations

A citation is a reference to a source of information. Typically it includes identifying information such as the author, title and source. This information should be sufficient for a reader to be able to locate a copy of the item.

Example:

Munro, Alice. Lives of Girls and Women: a Novel. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co., 1971.

The ability to interpret citations and references is a basic research skill that will enable you to locate additional sources of information relevant to your research.

Following are some examples of citations and references that you might find in a bibliography or online. Depending upon the citation style used , elements of the citation may be ordered and displayed differently.

 Book Citation

Anderson, Chris. (2006). The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More. New York :Hyperion.

Example of a book citation

Breaking it Down:

Author: Chris Anderson
Year Published: 2006
Title of Book: The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More
Place of Publication: New York
Publisher: Hyperion.

How to search for this book title

You can use Search Everything to search by the Title: The Long Tail or by the Author: Chris Anderson.

Journal Article Citation

Hamblen, Jessica L. et al., “Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Prolonged Post Disaster Distress,” Journal of Clinical Psychology, Vol. 62, No. 8 (Aug 2006), p. 1043-1055.

Breaking it Down:

Author: Jessica Hamblen et al.,
Article Title: “Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Prolonged Post Disaster Distress,”
Journal Title:  Journal of Clinical Psychology
Volume and Issue Number: Vol. 62, No. 8
Year Published: August 2006
Page numbers in Journal: page 1043 – 1055

How to Search for this Article?

Using Search Everything: Type in the Article Title: "Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Post disaster Distress" AND/OR the Author: Jessica Hamblen.

To make sure you have the correct article check the Journal Title (Journal of Clinical Psychology). Next check the year (August 2006) and Volume and Issue Number (vol 62, no.8) and the page number (p.1043)

Chapter in a Book

Eaton, Richard M. “Islamic History as Global History.” Islamic and European Expansion: The Forging of a Global Order. Ed. Michael Adas. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1999. 1-36.

Breaking it Down:

Author of Book: Michael Adas. (Editor)
Author of Chapter: Richard M. Eaton,  
Book Title: Islamic and European Expansion: The Forging of a Global Order.
Chapter Title: “Islamic History as Global History.”
Publisher, Year and place of Publication: Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1999
Pages of Chapter: pages 1-36

How to search for this Chapter in a Book

In Search Everything: Search for the title of the book: Islamic and European Expansion,  NOT the chapter title!

Internet Resource Citation

National Institute on Alcohol and Alcoholism. “Alcohol: A Woman’s Health Issue.” http://pubs.niaa.nih.gov/publications/brochure/women/women.htm (Sept. 2006)

Breaking it Down:

Author: National Institute on Alcohol and Alcoholism.
Title: “Alcohol: A Women’s Health Issue.”
URL: http://pubs.niaa.nih.gov/publications/brochure/women/women.htm
Date: September 2006.