Introduction Indigenous methodologies hold transformative potential for decolonising tourism research by prioritising Indigenous worldviews, belief systems, and knowledge production. Indigenous methodologies challenge colonial narratives within tourism research, offering alternative pathways for exploring Indigenous tourism. This paper, written by a Mi’kmaw researcher of mixed ancestry, examines the application of Indigenous methodologies to tourism research, focusing on their potential to foster respectful and collaborative frameworks, and explores the researcher’s positionality as an Indigenous scholar conducting research for her Mi’kmaq community. Indigenous tourism, often positioned as a vehicle for cultural preservation and economic development, can reinforce colonial power dynamics if not approached respectfully (Devine, J., & Ojeda, D., 2017; Koots, 2023; Virk, C.S., 2024). This paper, based upon my ongoing PhD thesis, aims to explore how Indigenous methodologies can transform tourism research, ensuring that it aligns with the priorities of Indigenous communities. Literature Review Historically, tourism research has focused on employing quantitative methodologies (Goodson & Phillimore, 2004; Walle, 1997); however, the recent shift in tourism research calls for broader sociocultural, political, and economic research, moving beyond functionalist perspectives (Bianchi, 2009). Mair (2018) contends that research that fails to challenge the status quo not only amplifies tourism's harmful effects but also diminishes its potential to drive positive transformation. The general use of Indigenous methodologies has been advanced by scholars such as Smith (1999), Kovach (2009), and Wilson (2008), who emphasise relationality, reciprocity, and respect as foundational principles of conducting research for Indigenous communities. In the context of tourism, scholars such as Carr et al (2016), Hall (2007), and Nielsen & Wilson (2012) have highlighted the need to centre Indigenous voices and address the impacts of tourism on Indigenous communities. Despite these contributions, the application of Indigenous methodologies within tourism research remains limited. My doctoral study aims to address this limitation by using Indigenous methodologies to explore expressions of Mi’kmaw identity negotiated through powwow. As a community subjected to centuries of colonial oppression, the Mi’kmaq of Newfoundland, Canada, navigate a cultural resurgence due to the establishment of Qalipu First Nation, a federally recognised Mi’kmaq nation. In the 13 years since the establishment of Qalipu, the Mi’kmaq of Newfoundland have been learning and celebrating our history and culture. One way to honour our heritage is through powwow, a celebration of traditional dancing, drumming, and feasting. Powwows occur throughout all Mi’kmaq territories in Atlantic Canada and are a popular tourist attraction that also serves as an opportunity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to celebrate together. As a member of Qalipu First Nation, I aim to explore the negotiation of Mi’kmaw identity expressed during powwow using an Indigenous methodology that is respectful to my community while disrupting Western ways of knowledge production. In this paper, I examine my positionality as a researcher of Mi’kmaq/European ancestry and how my connection to community impacts my methodological choices. Methodology My doctoral thesis uses an Indigenous methodology to explore the negotiation of Mi’kmaw identity expressed during powwow, a festival of dance, music, and feasts celebrating Mi’kmaw culture. As a mixed-race Mi’kmaw researcher with close connections to my community, I integrate lived experience, reflexivity, and positionality into my research. The ontological aspect of Indigenous methodologies is rooted in a worldview shaped by the interconnectedness of all human and non-human beings, extending to the environment and spiritual entities. Indigenous ontologies adopt a holistic view of the world, emphasising the reciprocal relationship of life's physical, spiritual, and intellectual aspects (Chilisa, 2020; Kovach, 2021; Wilson, 2008). Relationality is critical to Indigenous methodologies, particularly the connections among people, land, animals, and spirituality. While Indigenous ontology consists of multiple realities, "reality is in the relationship that one has with the truth. Thus an object or thing is not as important as one's relationships to it" (Wilson, 2008, p.73). The methodology I have designed emphasises the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives – of the researcher and the participants – in academic research. Data will be collected using culturally appropriate methods, such as observation, yarning, and sharing circles. I have been invited to join powwow planning meetings, and organisers, elders, and knowledge keepers have agreed to participate in this study. As such, I have a moral obligation to design a methodology that respects Mi’kmaw customs and beliefs. I will share my data and analysis with my community to contribute to the collective knowledge and understanding of Mi'kmaw identity. In doing so, my study supports knowledge sharing and emphasises the respect and reciprocity required of Indigenous methodologies. My PhD methodology is grounded in an Indigenous-centered framework, prioritising Mi'kmaq perspectives and epistemologies. As a Mi'kmaw researcher studying my own community, I recognise the importance of reflexivity and positionality in informing the research process. This paper explores how and why I incorporate these elements into my research design. By examining my own experiences, biases, and privileges, I aim to ensure that my research is culturally sensitive, ethically sound, and ultimately, beneficial to my community, thereby enhancing the application of Indigenous methodologies in tourism research. Conclusion and Discussion My ongoing doctoral research has compelled me to evaluate my Mi'kmaw identity and consider how and why I must develop a methodology that centres Indigenous knowledge systems and epistemologies. Throughout my study, I have strived to develop a research framework that is grounded in Mi'kmaq values that will contribute to a deeper understanding of Indigenous identity expressed through tourism. By integrating reflexivity into my research process, I aim to critically examine my own positionality and biases, and through prioritising Indigenous perspectives and methodologies, I aim to challenge dominant Western paradigms and empower Indigenous voices in tourism research. References Bianchi, R. V. (2009). The ‘Critical Turn’ in Tourism Studies: A Radical Critique. Tourism Geographies, 11(4), 484–504. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616680903262653 Carr, A., Ruhanen, L., & Whitford, M. (2016). Indigenous peoples and tourism: The challenges and opportunities for sustainable tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 24(8–9), 1067–1079. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2016.1206112 Chilisa, B. (2020). Indigenous Research Methodologies. SAGE. Devine, J., & Ojeda, D. (2017). Violence and dispossession in tourism development: a critical geographical approach. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 25(5), 605–617. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2017.1293401 Goodson, L. & Phillimore, J. (2004). Qualitative Research in Tourism: Ontologies, Epistemologies and Methodologies. Routledge. Hall, M. (2007). Politics, power and Indigenous tourism. In R. Butler, & T. Hinch (Eds.), Tourism and indigenous peoples. Koot, S. (2023). Articulations of inferiority: From pre-colonial to post-colonial paternalism in tourism and development among the indigenous Bushmen of Southern Africa. History and Anthropology, 34(2), 303–322. https://doi.org/10.1080/02757206.2020.1830387 Kovach, M. (2009). Indigenous Methodologies. Characteristics, Conversations, and Context. Toronto: University of Toronto Press Inc. Mair, H. (2018). "Chapter 5: Critical inquiry in tourism and hospitality research". In Handbook of Research Methods for Tourism and Hospitality Management. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing. Nielsen, N. & Wilson, E. (2012) From Invisible to Indigenous-Driven: A Critical Typology of Research in Indigenous Tourism. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 19(1), 67-75. Smith, L. T. (2012). Decolonizing methodologies (2nd ed.). Zed Books. Virk, C. S. (2024). Settler colonialism and Indigenous tourism: The pattern of exploitation, assimilation and erasure. Journal of Spatial Theory, 1, 1–8. Walle, A. H. (1997). Quantitative versus qualitative tourism research. Annals of Tourism Research, 24(3), 524–536. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0160-7383(96)00055-2 Wilson, S. (2008). Research Is Ceremony: Indigenous Research Methods. Nova Scotia: Fernwood Publishing.