Uncovering Indigenous Wisdom
Indigenous Community-Based
Social Research
Empowering communities to drive informed decision making while navigating complex social and economic landscapes
Empowering Communities Through Knowledge Sovereignty
We partner with communities to transform traditional knowledge into powerful tools for self-determination and sustainable development.
In the heart of every Indigenous community lies a wealth of knowledge passed down through generations — At ICE, we believe this wisdom deserves to be heard, honored, and integrated into every decision that affects your community's future, we partner with communities to transform traditional knowledge into powerful tools for self-determination and sustainable development.
Walking Together: Indigenous Research Services
Our Journey Together
Research is a journey of discovery, guided by respect and community wisdom. We specialize in conducting culturally-grounded social research that respects Indigenous ways of knowing while delivering actionable insights for communities and organizations.
Value to Your Community:
We're partners in empowering Indigenous communities to drive informed decision-making while navigating complex social and economic landscapes, we integrate traditional knowledge into socio-economic research to amplify Indigenous voices, so communities can shape their own narratives.
Our Indigenous Social Research methodology:
• Centers Indigenous voices, knowledge systems, and ways of knowing
• Establishes equal partnerships with communities
• Ensures research benefits flow directly back to participating communities
• Bridges traditional wisdom with contemporary research methods
• Supports Indigenous data sovereignty
Indigenous Research
Bridging Traditional Wisdom with Modern Research
Your Knowledge, Your Power
We bridge traditional wisdom with modern expertise, creating paths to sustainable development that put your community at the heart of every project, ensuring that research leads to tangible benefits and supports your journey of self-determination.
Our skilled analysts provide comprehensive support through:
• Socio-economic research and analysis that combines rigorous methodology with cultural understanding
• Data sovereignty implementation to help communities manage their own information
• Community-based research design that reflects local priorities
• Strategic planning that aligns research with community goals
• Knowledge translation that bridges traditional wisdom with contemporary decision-making
Through careful integration of traditional knowledge and modern research methodologies, we help create more accurate and nuanced understandings of community challenges and opportunities.
Empowering Communities Through Knowledge Sovereignty
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We help communities create lasting prosperity that benefits both current and future generations.
We center Indigenous voices and knowledge systems in every aspect of our work, creating a framework where traditional wisdom guides modern research practices. This culturally-grounded approach ensures that research outcomes directly benefit the community, supporting both immediate decision-making needs and long-term development goals.
socio-economic research services
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Integrating traditional knowledge
in socio-economic research.
Bridging Traditional Wisdom with Modern Research
Our approach is rooted in deep respect for Indigenous ways of knowing and being. We recognize that traditional wisdom holds invaluable insights that often cannot be captured through conventional research methods alone.
By weaving together traditional wisdom and modern research methods, we create a more complete, nuanced, and culturally-grounded understanding of Indigenous communities.
This approach not only produces more accurate and meaningful results but also ensures that the research process itself is a tool for community empowerment and cultural revitalization.
Helping Communities Turn Research into Action:
• We help turn research findings into concrete community actions
• We ensure research leads to tangible benefits for your people
• Supporting communities in using results for advocacy & development
Research that isn't conducted on communities, but with them.
We understand that true empowerment comes from owning and directing your community's story and data — This approach ensures that research isn't conducted on communities, but with them.
Indigenous Community Empowerment Through Research
Partnering With Communities to Create Meaningful Change
Every step we take is in service of Indigenous self-determination and community empowerment. Our research methodology represents a fundamental shift from conventional approaches to one that genuinely serves Indigenous communities.
Together, we can build a future where Indigenous communities lead their own development through research that honors both traditional wisdom and contemporary needs.
We recognize that meaningful research in Indigenous communities must:
• Honor traditional knowledge and cultural protocols
• Prioritize community ownership of data and outcomes
• Build lasting capacity within communities
• Support Indigenous self-determination
• Create tangible benefits for participating communities
We work to amplify Indigenous voices and enable communities to drive informed decision making while navigating complex social and economic landscapes.
Every step we take is in service of Indigenous self-determination and community empowerment.
Our approach puts your community at the heart of every project, ensuring that research leads to tangible benefits and supports your journey of self-determination.
Your Knowledge, Your Power
We're not just researchers – we're partners in your community's journey towards self-determination. Our services are designed to help clients understand the full range of social and economic implications, ensuring informed decision-making and sustainable development.
Knowledge Sovereignty
By recognizing and prioritizing knowledge sovereignty, we ensure that communities maintain control over their cultural and intellectual property throughout the research process. The research process itself becomes a tool for community empowerment, building local capacity and strengthening cultural connections.
Socio-Economic - Baseline Studies
Join us in forging pathways to prosperity that honor Indigenous rights, culture, and knowledge.
Together, we can create impactful strategies and visuals that empower your community in negotiations and regulatory settings.
Research that isn't conducted on communities, but with them.
We understand that true empowerment comes from owning and directing your community's story and data — Our approach ensures that research isn't conducted on communities, but with them.
*The ICE Research Team
Indigenous Research
By choosing ICE, you're not just getting research services – you're partnering with a team dedicated to advancing Indigenous data sovereignty through collaborative, respectful, and impactful research.
1. Community-Led Design
Local Elders, knowledge keepers, and community members help shape:
- Research questions and priorities
- Methodological approaches
- Data collection methods
- Analysis frameworks
- Knowledge sharing strategies
2. Cultural Safety & Protocol
Our research framework is built on:
- Deep respect for Indigenous protocols and ceremonies
- Recognition of traditional governance structures
- Protection of cultural and intellectual property rights
- Integration of Indigenous ways of knowing
- Commitment to ethical space creation
3. Capacity Building
We believe in leaving communities stronger.
Our process includes:
• Training local community researchers
• Supporting Indigenous leadership development
• Transferring research skills and knowledge
• Building sustainable research infrastructure
• Enhancing community ability to conduct future research
4. Collaborative Analysis
Our participatory analysis process ensures:
- Community members guide interpretation of findings
- Indigenous knowledge systems inform analysis
- Multiple ways of knowing are honored
- Research outcomes align with community needs
- Findings are validated by community members
Through careful integration of traditional knowledge and modern research methodologies, we help create more accurate and nuanced understandings of community challenges and opportunities.
How We're Different:
• We move at the pace of the community, not academic or corporate timelines
• Our researchers are trained in indigenous protocols and cultural safety
• Our goal is community empowerment, not just data collection
• Prioritizing indigenous languages and ways of knowing throughout the process
We help you create plans that maintain your sacred connection to the land while meeting your community's evolving need
Indigenous-Led Research
Our Journey Together
Every research project begins with listening. We sit with Elders, speak with knowledge keepers, and engage with community members to understand your unique story. From there, we collaborate to create research that serves your community's vision for the future.
Get Started Today
Picture a circle of Elders gathered around a crackling fire, sharing stories that have been passed down through generations. Now imagine those same stories being woven together with contemporary data to create powerful tools for community decision-making - This is where our journey begins.
Our Promise to You:
- Unwavering respect for Indigenous protocols and traditional knowledge
- Transparent communication at every step of the journey
- Flexible approaches that adapt to your community's unique needs
- Commitment to building lasting capacity within your community
Looking Forward Together :
Our team approaches every project with cultural humility, ready to learn from the communities we serve while sharing our expertise in ways that empower and elevate. Every great journey begins with a conversation. Reach out to discover how we can support your community's vision for the future.
*Indigenous Research
Connect with
ICE to discuss:
- Baseline studies for community planning
- Impact assessments for proposed developments
- Cultural heritage protection strategies
- Capacity building initiatives
- Custom research solutions
We help you create plans that maintain your sacred connection to the land while meeting your community's evolving need