Creating Third Epistemological Spaces with Indigenous Communities: A Two-Eyed Seeing/Etuaptmumk Methodology

This article offers insights into the Two-Eyed Seeing/Etuaptmumk methodology. Developed by Mi’kmaq Elder Albert Marshall in Nova Scotia, Canada, Two-Eyed Seeing/Etuaptmumk advocates a synergistic blend of two perspectives, or eyes: one Indigenous and one Western, each embedded in its respective knowledge system and way of knowing. We describe the unique characteristics of this integrative methodology and offer various forms of collaboration employing Two-Eyed Seeing/Etuaptmumk, which we refer to as Territory-Based, Team-Based, Nation-Based, and Indigenous Collective-Based. We then address the challenges of implementing Two-Eyed Seeing/Etuaptmumk by discussing our experience as partners in a community-based participatory research project. The article offers critical insights and proposes strategies for creating and nurturing inclusive and diverse epistemological spaces. This work serves as both a call to action and a guide for researchers to rethink and reshape their methodologies by respectfully engaging with diverse ways of knowing.