Indigenous Studies

Chicago Manual of Style 18th Edition

If you are citing an Indigenous Elder or other Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, there are key elements to add that acknowledge the authority of Traditional Knowledge and Oral Traditions. These elements include:

• Nation or community the Elder or Knowledge Keeper belongs to
• Brief description of the information or teaching they have shared
• Date the information was shared with you
• Treaty territory and city of residence may also be included

Ensure that all of these details are confirmed with the Elder or Knowledge Keeper. Some may prefer to be listed under their Traditional Name rather than their legal name, and sometimes they may prefer to be listed only by their Traditional Name. It is also important to ensure that you have permission to share the information in your essay or publication, and to be aware that additional protocols and permissions may be required if you plan to publish the information.

Notes and Bibliography Style

Full Note

2. First Name Last Name (Traditional Name [if applicable]), nation/community, treaty territory [if applicable], where they live [if applicable], topic/subject of communication [if not mentioned in-text], interview [specify only if not clear from the main text], month, day, year.

Bibliography

Last Name, First Name (Traditional Name [if applicable]). Nation/community. Treaty territory [if applicable]. Where they live [if applicable]. Topic/subject of communication. Interview, month, day, year.

Author-Date Style

In-Text

(Last Name year)

Reference List

Last Name, First Name (Traditional Name [if applicable]). Year. Nation/community. Treaty territory [if applicable]. Where they live [if applicable]. Topic/subject of communication. Interview, month, day.

For more on Citing Indigenous Sources, see sections 14.136 & 14.137 in The Chicago Manual of Style, 18^th Edition, pages 919-20.