Citation Styles Guide: Referencing Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers

Unlike other personal communications, Elders and Knowledge Keepers are cited in-text and in the reference list. 

Reference List Format

Last name, First initial. Nation/Community. Treaty Territory if applicable. Where they live if applicable. Topic/subject of communication if applicable. personal communication. Month Date, Year.

Reference List Example

Cardinal, D. Goodfish Lake Cree Nation. Treaty 6. Lives in Edmonton. Oral teaching. personal communication. April 4, 2004

In-Text citation Example

Delores Cardinal described the nature of the... (2018).

OR

The nature of the place was... (Cardinal, 2018).

This citation template was developed in consultation with the University of British Columbia’s Xwi7xwa Library Student Librarian Bronwen McKie and follows the guidelines of  Elder Citation developed by Librarian Lorisia MacLeod (James Smith Cree Nation) at NorQuest College.

Bibliography Format

Last Name, First Names (Elder/Knowledge Keeper), Nation. Topic/subject of communication if applicable. Personal communication. Territorial Acknowledgement of where the information was shared. Month Date, Year.

Bibliography Example

Lekeyten (Elder), Kwantlen First Nation. Community Justice. Personal communication. Shared on the traditional unceded territory of the Kwantlen, Musqueam, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen, Qayqayt, and Kwikwetlem Peoples. April 9, 2019.

First Footnote Format

First Names Last Name (Elder/Knowledge Keeper), Nation, Topic/subject of communication if applicable, Personal communication, Territorial Acknowledgement of where the information was shared, Month Date, Year.

First Footnote Example

Lekeyten (Elder), Kwantlen First Nation, Community Justice, Personal communication, Shared on the traditional unceded territory of the Kwantlen, Musqueam, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen, Qayqayt, and Kwikwetlem Peoples, April 9, 2019.

Source

Unlike other personal communications, Elders and Knowledge Keepers are cited in-text and in the reference list. 

Reference List Format

Last name, First name. Nation/Community. Treaty Territory if applicable. City/Community they live in if

applicable. Topic/subject of communication if applicable. Date Month Year.

Reference List Example

Cardinal, Delores. Goodfish Lake Cree Nation. Treaty 6. Lives in Edmonton. Oral teaching. 4 April 2004.

In-text Citation Example

Delores Cardinal described the nature of the...

OR

The nature of the place was... (Cardinal).