APA citation style
Land acknowledgement
The lands on which Memorial University’s campuses are situated are in the traditional territories of diverse Indigenous groups, and we acknowledge with respect the diverse histories and cultures of the Beothuk, Mi’kmaq, Innu, and Inuit of this province.
About this guide
There are currently no existing formal APA Style guidelines for citing Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers. The following citation styles for citing traditional knowledge were developed by the NorQuest College Library and Kwantlen Polytechnic Library. We recommend you consult these examples as we work towards adapting these styles for our local context in consultation with the Indigenous communities of our province.
For more information about the importance of developing citation styles for traditional knowledge, and an expansion on the components included in the citation formats below, see MacLeod, 2021.
Before beginning research involving Indigenous Groups, please review Memorial’s Research Impacting Indigenous Groups Policy.
In-text citations
Unlike other personal communications, Elders and Knowledge Keepers are cited in-text and in the reference list. The in-text citation should follow the same guidelines noted for a paraphrase or direct quote.
In-text citation format:
(Name of Elder/Knowledge Keeper, year of communication).
Sample in-text citations:
Delores Cardinal described the nature of the... (2018).
The nature of the place was... (Cardinal, 2018).
Reference list entries
Citation format:
Last name, First names initials. (Elder), Nation/Community. Topic/subject of communication if applicable. personal communication. Year, Month Date. Territory Acknowledgement of where information was shared/collected.
Sample reference list entry:
Lekeyten (Elder), Kwantlen First Nation. Community justice. personal communication. 2019, April 4. Shared on the traditional unceded territory of the Kwantlen, Musqueam, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen, Qayqayt and Kwikwetlem Peoples.
From our collections
- Elements of Indigenous style: A guide for writing by and about Indigenous Peoples by Younging, GregoryISBN: 9781550597165Publication Date: 2018
- Last Updated: Sep 6, 2024 1:26 PM
- URL: https://guides.library.mun.ca/apa-citation
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