Indigenous Perspectives in Program Evaluation: A scoping literature review exploring wise practices for program evaluation with Indigenous communities in northern Manitoba

Abstract

This study explored how organizations that offer programming and services in northern Indigenous communities could inform, adapt, and improve their evaluation approaches to involve an Indigenous perspective. Without this research, program evaluation may continue to be conducted within a Western perspective, a view that does not consider an Indigenous paradigm or cultural considerations. To examine Indigenous perspectives in program evaluation, the researcher conducted a scoping literature review using 15 secondary sources from Australia, Canada, and the United States of America published from 2010-2020. Through a decolonized methodology, the researcher sorted the data into themes according to the core values of an Indigenous Evaluation Framework. The findings contributed to the literature by addressing the gaps of decolonizing program evaluation, integrating cultural approaches, and instilling an Indigenous paradigm. Relevant to organizations that work with Indigenous communities, the research generated wise practices to engage program evaluation in a culturally appropriate manner. Building from this study, ongoing research is needed to support Indigenous perspectives in program evaluation.