Research

Favored Research Methods

In order to insure a holistic and transformational approach to my research, I employ a variety of methods, some traditional, as interviewing and documentation; some less traditional, as narrative inquiry; and others new on the lexicon of mixing symbol and science, as imaginal inquiry and arkhelogy.

Imaginal inquiry best expressed in poetic diction: “When you see a severed head rolling down the path toward our field, ask of it, ask of it – the secrets of the heart: for of it you will learn our hidden mystery”. (Jalal ‘Uddin in Cobb 1992, p.232). Said another way, and adapted from Thomas Mann, “if we can do it, we will do it. If we cannot, it will be done to us.” (Giegerich, 2006, p.249)

Arkhelogy is a method for interpreting one’s own material and provides a way to acquire, and organize information you receive from other people for the purpose of writing about the universal nature of people. (Van Bergen, 2007). I and my students use our own knowledge, often called ancestral knowledge or flooding, which requires self examination as well as archetypal study in understanding and presenting knowledge that may not be pleasant in a non-judgmental way.

Narrative Inquiry, finding ourselves in three-dimensional space, using a set of understanding that point us backward and forward, inward and outward, and locates us in place. Clandinin & Connelly, 2000, p. 54.

Leo Adams: A Case Study.

Leo Adams has been hailed "Yakima Nation's Artistic Genius" (Labberton, 2007). That and the fact that Leo is a close friend, willing to invite us into his home as he prepared for a show, made him the prefect subject to explore our theories about artistic process...

Completed documentary ...Leo Adams

Evil Grows: A Documentary

Great stories are created by powerful and mysterious inner processes (Bonnet, 2006). The purpose of this project is to examine the paradigm of evil by creating a documentary film based on interviewing the peoples of Kwakuitl in British Columbia, and inspired by the sad story of Matt Williams, a member of the tribe banished for three generations and of his son, Greg Williams, now serving a life sentence in Prince Albert Penitentiary for impaling a young woman.

SSRCH application - recommended if funding available. Seeking more funding possibilities - interested parties please contact mamchur@sfu.ca

Full Application: SSRCH: Evil Grows