Tłıchǫ nàowoò hoghàseètǫǫ: learning a strong like two research methodology through the exploration of community-centered curation practices

Collaborative research is rooted in the fundamental principle of recognizing communities as equal research partners. This article draws attention to an important part of this relationship—learning the traditional values of community and emulating these in research—presenting a reflection on the lessons learned during a three-year project to redefine principles of curation according to Tłı̨chǫ traditions for caring for knowledge. Throughout this process, Tłı̨chǫ Elders offered teachings that reached beyond cultural heritage into lessons on life, humility, and collaboration. Derived from the relationship between Tłı̨chǫ nàowoò (Tłı̨chǫ traditional knowledge, language, culture, and way of life), caribou, and building fires, a strong like two research methodology embodies the role of different perspectives in forming one strong voice. It draws from the Tłı̨chǫ teaching that encourages learning from multiple perspectives to be strong like two people and is the result of the missteps and mentorship experienced throughout our research.