Using Two-Eyed Seeing in Research With Indigenous People: An Integrative Review
Open accessAbstract
Background: The Two-Eyed Seeing approach has been advocated for use in research with Indigenous people as it creates a space for Western and Indigenous ways of knowing to come together using the best of both worldviews to aid understanding and solve problems. Foundational literature presents its use as a promising way to promote ethical exchanges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, but the practical application of its concepts to research remains vague. Method: This integrative review, using the Whittemore and Knafl approach, describes the state of the literature pertaining to the interpretation and application of Two-Eyed Seeing. Following a search of the literature, 37 articles were selected for inclusion, and primary studies ( n = 11) were critiqued for quality. Data were extracted, analyzed, and synthesized into themes. Results: Three themes were compiled from the literature including (a) defining characteristics of Two-Eyed Seeing, (b) suggested attributes of those engaging with Two-Eyed Seeing, and (c) the application of Two-Eyed Seeing in research. Conclusions: This review demonstrates inconsistencies in how to date researchers have interpreted and applied Two-Eyed Seeing in research with Indigenous people. The collection of key attributes of researchers and application procedures to research discussed in this review present a new standard for the application of Two-Eyed Seeing to research with Indigenous people. Researchers using Two-Eyed Seeing should thoro…
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A comprehensive review of applications of the Two-Eyed Seeing framework emphasized key characteristics salient to Indigenous communities and an Elder-centered methodology.
“Furthermore, a comprehensive review of applications of the Two-Eyed Seeing framework that integrates Indigenous and western methods used in research emphasized key characteristics salient to Indigenous communities and an Elder-centered methodology (Wright et al., 2019).”
From Indigenous Elder-centered methodology: research that decolonizes and indigenizes (2023) · cites this paper as Wright et al., 2019
Elements across application of Two-Eyed Seeing include reciprocity, Indigenous involvement of Elders and community members throughout the research process and incorporation of local customs, and inclusion of Indigenous ways of knowing in the conceptualization of research and research processes.
“Elements across application include (a) reciprocity which is requisite for benefit to both the researcher and the community; (b) Indigenous involvement of Elders and community members throughout the research process and incorporation of local customs are key; and (c) inclusion of Indigenous ways of knowing, namely, storytelling, language, and traditional ecological knowledge in the conceptual”
From Indigenous Elder-centered methodology: research that decolonizes and indigenizes (2023) · cites this paper as Wright et al., 2019
Cites
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Morse, J. M. (2016) · doi:10.4324/9781315421650 · Cited by 253 · see citing works
Mantyka-Pringle, C. S., Jardine, T. D., Bradford, L., Bharadwaj, L., Kythreotis, A. P., Fresque-Baxter, J., Kelly, E., Somers, G., Doig, L. E., Jones, P. D., et al. (2017) · Environment International · doi:10.1016/j.envint.2017.02.008 · Cited by 150 · cited 3× · see citing works
“…necessary to engage with others while using the Two-Eyed Seeing approach (Fornssler et al., 2018; Hatala et al., 2017; Kapyrka & Dockstator, 2012; Mantyka-Pringle et al., 2017; Marsh, Cote-Meek, Toulouse, Najavits, & Young, 2015; Marsh et al., 2016; Martin et al., 2017; Peltier, 2018; Vukic,…”
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Two-Eyed Seeing and other Indigenous perspectives for neuroscience
Illes, J., Perreault, M. L., Bassil, K., Bjaalie, J. G., Taylor-Bragge, R. L., Chneiweiss, H., Gregory, T. R., Kumar, B. N., Matshabane, O. P., Svalastog, A. L., et al. (2025) · Nature · doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08437-2 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Indigenous Elder-centered methodology: research that decolonizes and indigenizes
Crouch (Deg Hit’an, C., Kim, S. M., Asquith-Heinz, Z., Decker, E., Andrew (Yup’ik, I., Lewis (Aleut), J. P., & Rosich, R. M. (2023) · AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples · doi:10.1177/11771801231155437 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
“Furthermore, a comprehensive review of applications of the Two-Eyed Seeing framework that integrates Indigenous and western methods used in research emphasized key characteristics salient to Indigenous communities and an Elder-centered methodology (Wright et al., 2019).”
BackgroundMethodInfluential
- Authors
- Wright, A. L., Gabel, C., Ballantyne, M., Jack, S. M., & Wahoush, O.
- Affiliations
- University of Toronto (CA)
- McMaster University (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Wright, A. L.
- Venue
- International Journal of Qualitative Methods
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2019-01-01
- Volume
- 18
- ISSN
- 1609-4069 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2969334534
- Cited by
- 154
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 24 · 2025: 45 · 2024: 29 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 6
- FWCI
- 7.80
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Locations
- International Journal of Qualitative Methods (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Funders
- Institute of Aboriginal Peoples Health (CIHR Fellowship, Priority Announcement: Research i)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Health › Indigenous Health, Education, and Rights
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Participatory Visual Research Methods
- Keywords
- Two-Eyed Seeing, Indigenous research, indigenous knowledge, research ethics, research with Indigenous peoples
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