The information contained on this page is based on the guidelines below. Please read the document in full for detailed guidance on appropriately selecting, using and referencing First Nations resources.
Recommended citation: Indigenous Archives Collective., Faulkhead, S., Thorpe, K., Sentance, N., Booker, L., & Barrowcliffe, R. (2023). Indigenous referencing guidance for Indigenous knowledges. Indigenous Archives Collective and the UTS Jumbunna Institute of Indigenous Education and Research. https://members.caval.edu.au/indigenous-referencing-guidance
When seeking and using First Nations knowledges and sources, it is important to do so ethically and avoid problematic sources. Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) must be respected and referenced appropriately.
Where possible, Traditional knowledge and information authored by First Nations people should be prioritised in your selection of sources.
Critically evaluate sources before selecting (e.g., Does the source contain culturally sensitive terminology? Is information up-to-date? Does it contain First Nations first-person lived-experience?).
Respect and support First Nations authority over and reclamation of Traditional knowledge.
Correctly cite and reference Traditional knowledge and sources of First Nations information.
First Nations sources are cited as per the same guidelines for resource types throughout this guide, with the addition of the First Nations author's Nation, Country or language group (if available).
| Format | Example | |
| Paraphrase |
... (Author, Nation/Country/Language Group, Year) OR Author (Nation/Country/Language Group) (Year) ... |
... is highlighted (Moreton-Robinson, Goenpul, 2020). OR Moreton-Robinson (Goenpul) (2020) outlines ... |
| Quote |
'...' (Author, Nation/Country/Language Group, Year:Page) OR Author (Nation/Country/Language Group) (Year:Page) '...' |
'...' (Moreton-Robinson, Goenpul, 2020:25). OR Moreton-Robinson (Goenpul) (2020:25) noted '...'. |
| Format | Example | |
| Paraphrase |
A A Person (Nation/Country/Language Group), (Month Day, Year, pers. comm.) |
As shared by S Faulkhead (Koorie), (November 4, 2022, pers. comm.) … |
| Quote |
AA Person (Nation/Country/Language Group), (Month Day, Year, pers. comm.) '...' |
S Faulkhead (Koorie), (November 4, 2022, pers. comm.) shared '…'. |
For published sources, the First Nations author's Nation, Country or language group (if available) is added to the reference in (circular brackets) after their initial(s). In contrast, oral histories and personal communications are cited in-text only. Brief examples are included here below.
For the full guidelines, including referencing formats for a range of resource types, see the Indigenous referencing guidance for Indigenous knowledges document.
* Examples contained in the document are in APA 7th format. You will need to substitute shown formats with Holmesglen Harvard punctuation and style.
| Format | Example |
| Author, AA (Nation/Country/Language Group) (Year) Title of book, x edn, Publisher, Place of Publication. | Moreton-Robinson, A (Goenpul) (2020) Talkin' up to the white woman, University of Queensland Press, St Lucia, QLD. |
| Format | |
|
Personal communications are cited in-text only. Do not include in the reference list. |