Two-Eyed Seeing and other lessons learned within a co-learning journey of bringing together indigenous and mainstream knowledges and ways of knowing

Two-Eyed Seeing draws together the strengths of mainstream and Indigenous (specifically Mi'kmaw) knowledges, leading to a wider, deeper, and more generative field of view than could be achieved by either perspective or knowledge system in isolation.

“Etuaptmumk or Two-Eyed Seeing, as previously introduced, draws together the strengths of mainstream and Indigenous (specifically Mi'kmaw) knowledges (Bartlett et al., 2012; Figure 1d).This binocular framework leads to a “wider, deeper, and more generative field of view” than could be achieved by either perspective or knowledge system in isolation (Iwama et al., 2009).”

Given its place of origin in Eastern Canada, the examples of Two-Eyed Seeing in practice examined are all Canadian-based, but parallels to other pertinent studies centred in other parts of the world are drawn where possible.

“Given its place of origin (Eastern Canada; Bartlett et al., 2012), these examples of Two-Eyed Seeing in practice are all Canadian-based, but we draw parallels to other pertinent studies centred in other parts of the world, where possible.”

Through its action imperative and cooperative foundation, Two-Eyed Seeing values collective over individual action and collaborative learning where once disparate and polarized groups or knowledge holders are united.

“Through its action imperative and cooperative foundation, Two-Eyed Seeing values collective over individual action and collaborative learning or”

Two-Eyed Seeing and other Indigenous knowledge coexistence frameworks seem readily embraced by Indigenous knowledge holders and community members where less of a paradigm shift is required than for those who ascribe strictly to a Western scientific tradition.

“This may be why Two-Eyed Seeing and other Indigenous knowledge coexistence frameworks seem to be so readily embraced by Indigenous knowledge holders and community members (Bartlett et al., 2012) where there is perhaps less of a paradigm shift required”

Two-Eyed Seeing holds that each group, Indigenous and western, needs each other to accomplish research excellence.

“to acknowledge that each group, Indigenous and western, needs each other to accomplish research excellence”

Viewing research through both Indigenous and western perspectives is empowering and critical to Indigenous communities' intellectual sovereignty.

“to view research through both perspectives as empowering and critical to Indigenous communities intellectual sovereignty”

Developing an advisory council of willing, knowledgeable stakeholders drawn from within educational institutions and Aboriginal communities is inclusive and traditional practice.

““develop an advisory council of willing, knowledgeable stakeholders, drawing upon individuals both from within the educational institution(s) and within Aboriginal communities” is inclusive and traditional practice (Bartlett et al., 2012, p. 334).”

Two-Eyed Seeing is a research framework originating from traditional Elder knowledge from the Mi'kmaq Nation that weaves together Indigenous traditional knowledge and western science to achieve balance, integration, and mutual understanding.

“Two-Eyed Seeing is a research framework originating from traditional Elder knowledge from the Mi’kmaq (an Indigenous people of eastern Canada and the northwestern corner of the USA) Nation (Bartlett et al., 2012).”

Two-eyed seeing involves learning to see from one eye with the strengths of Indigenous ways of knowing and from the other eye with the strengths of Western ways of knowing and using both eyes together for the benefit of all.

“It involves learning to see from one eye with the strengths of Indigenous ways of knowing and from the other eye with the strengths of Western ways of knowing and using both eyes together for the benefit of all.”

The concept of etuaptmumk (two-eyed seeing), originating from Mi'kmaw Elder Albert Marshall (Bartlett et al., 2012), offers a powerful metaphor for integrating Indigenous and Western knowledge systems.

“The concept of etuaptmumk (two-eyed seeing), originating from Mi'kmaw Elder Albert Marshall (Bartlett et al., 2012), offers a powerful metaphor for integrating Indigenous and Western knowledge systems.”

Two-eyed seeing brings together Indigenous knowledge systems and mainstream knowledge systems side-by-side.

“The twoeyed seeing approach brings together Indigenous knowledge systems and mainstream knowledge systems 'side-by-side' as in Toqwa'tu'kl Kjijitaqnn , meaning 'bringing our knowledges together' (Bartlett, Marshall, & Marshall, 2012, p. 333).”