Research
Our research leads with Indigenous Peoples' enterprise visions, advances respect for Indigenous Peoples’ rights in business operations, and amplifies Indigenous-led solutions to systemic economic exclusion.
Tallgrass Institute engages in Indigenous-led, values-driven research. Our publications and tools highlight the voices of Indigenous leaders and provide actionable recommendations rooted in Indigenous expertise. We delineate trends in the field and ensure our research resources have a cumulative effect on centering Indigenous insights and furthering Indigenous economic innovations.
Learn more about our research work below.
Research Highlights
Our Research Values
Whenever possible, Tallgrass Institute develops research projects in partnership with Indigenous leaders, Indigenous individuals, and other Indigenous organizations with whom we have relationships. Our focus is on elevating the expertise, lived experiences, and ground truth of the Indigenous individuals we work with, and on highlighting how Indigenous leaders and communities are creating Indigenous solutions to both local and global challenges. Tallgrass Institute makes our research publicly available to elevate the voices of Indigenous leaders and advance Indigenous power-building. Via our view of storytelling through research, we communicate our findings to diverse stakeholders within the fields of business, law, finance, and human rights. Our goal is to bring Indigenous solutions into the global discourse, to demonstrate how Indigenous Peoples are leading the way towards a sustainable future for all.
Tallgrass Institute is committed to respecting and protecting Indigenous knowledge, and to conducting Indigenous-led research guided by Indigenous values. Our research values fall into three key areas: centering Indigenous Peoples, creating applied research, and engaging in right relationship.
Values for Centering Indigenous Peoples
Center Indigenous leadership and decision-making
Emphasize Indigenous priorities, interests, and goals
Work to advance Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination
Ensure Indigenous self-representation and highlight Indigenous voices
Elevate Indigenous values, expertise, and solutions
Values for Creating Relevant and Impactful Applied Research
Create robust applied research that is beneficial for Indigenous Peoples
Focus on investor audiences where relevant, in service of Indigenous priorities and our mission
Share our research with broad audiences to elevate Indigenous solutions
Values for Engaging in Right Relationship
Listen actively to project partners throughout the research process
Prioritize consent
Share power and collaborate
Practice honesty, transparency, and accountability
Support project partners with consideration and flexibility
Engage in reciprocity
