Decolonizing Information Technology Design: A Framework for Integrating Indigenous Knowledge in Design Science Research

Abstract

Design science research focuses on the development of artifacts to solve practical problems in our society and there is a strong emphasis on the justificatory knowledge used to support this effort. Kernel theories used as part of the justificatory knowledge have predominantly originated from Western worldviews and resulting artifacts have been developed for modern colonial societies. This approach discriminates against and excludes marginalized groups, including Indigenous Peoples. We draw on the Mi’kmaq guiding principle of Two-Eyed Seeing to explore how Indigenous knowledge can be integrated in design science research as justificatory knowledge. We propose a framework to explain the various paths by which Indigenous knowledge integration can be done and provide examples from the literature for each path. Additionally, we present a case study showing how an Indigenous theory for the design of IT artifacts (prescriptive knowledge) can be applied in the creation of a 3D carronade model.