Feminist Research Ethics and First Nations Women’s Life Narratives: A Conversation

ABSTRACT This essay offers a reflection on conducting historical research relating to First Nations women’s lives and cross-cultural relationships in ways that are ethical and informed by feminist sensibilities. In dialogic mode, the authors work through issues and insights that have arisen in the process of researching the life story of Arrernte woman Minnie Undelya Apma, who was abducted as a child from her parents in Central Australia in 1920 by anthropologist Herbert Basedow and his wife Olive (Nell). The process of collaborative research between Kath and Victoria ignited a relationship of mutual understanding and empathy that yielded further enquiries. Fundamentally the process created a space for us to talk and think about the many ways we approach and understand the remarkable history of Minnie Apma’s life, that includes how that story is told and by whom. We argue that there are meaningful ways for First Nations and Second Peoples researchers of First Nations’ women’s life narratives to work together, that will not only improve historical scholarship, but also help to build respectful relationships that counteract inequality and ongoing disempowerment of First Nations people in our society.