Indigenous Studies focuses on research methods and ethics when carrying out studies with Indigenous peoples, epistemological plurality, biocultural diversity, Indigenous peoples’ rights and history, Indigenous languages, and arts.
While differences between Indigenous peoples are at times great, they often share experiences of colonisation. Acknowledging the role of environment is also typical for Indigenous cultures. Many Indigenous peoples inhabit regions where the natural environment is rich in diversity. Their detailed knowledge, accumulated throughout generations, is of particular importance when discussing changes in these regions, such as the Arctic and Amazon. Indigenous peoples’ knowledge is materialised in their livelihoods, land uses, and arts. Indigenous languages comprise approximately 80% of all the languages in the world, yet they are the most endangered of all languages.
Foundation of Indigenous studies is a holistic understanding of the world. Besides the present, it opens for new perspectives to comprehend historical continuities and power structures. The studies are carried in close collaboration with Indigenous communities. Indigenous studies can benefit students planning their careers in policymaking, environment and sustainability sector, education, social work, health care, law, economy, museums, and various areas of culture.