I would opt for an as open research framework as possible, including indigenous peoples at all levels. However, this topic is really controversial, seemingly above all between non-indigenous researchers. For an impression, I asked such a controversial question some time ago: https://www.researchgate.net/post/Who_or_what_is_indigenous

As an anti-colonial, non-Indigenous social work researcher, I believe it is important to begin such research with understanding how research has served to pathologize, colonize, and oppress Indigenous peoples. Non-Indigenous researchers have built their careers on this kind of research. From this, I have learned that we need to be deeply reflective about our personal and research values before considering embarking on such research, if we want to avoid perpetrating continued harm. I believe we also need to approach it with humility and the willingness to be very uncomfortable most of the time. 

Personally, I will only do such research as an ally. I work with Indigenous researchers whom I know well and where we have developed a longer term trust relationship. I have learned that as a non-Indigenous researcher, I need to be willing to be taught by my Indigenous colleagues and that it is very disconcerting to dismantle my identity as an expert and be truly open to listening and learning. I have learned that most Indigenous people communicate the things I need to know in a gentle and often indirect manner, so I need to know how to listen in a different way from the norm in the academy. If I don't pick up the cues, what happens is a subtle withdrawal. The literature recommends that those of us who engage in such research participate in ceremonies (that are open to us) and doing so has not only greatly enriched my life, but it has helped teach me how to be respectful, to learn more deeply, and to build understandings and relationships. I've learned that I need to just show up and to open my whole self, not just my mind, to learning, as Indigenous learning is holistic. I find it very hard to unlearn how I have been taught as an academic, so I really value my trust relationships with Indigenous colleagues and keep having to remember that it's hard to be so far out of my comfort zone of expertise.

I know that doesn't directly answer your question, but as a non-Indigenous researcher, I wanted to first position myself. I also want to mention that my current university is situated in a former Indian Residential School, which represents one of the key Canadian Government policies to destroy Indigenous peoples in Canada. In a sense, I am working at ground zero and my office is located in the former boys' dorms. Not a day passes that I am not aware of the historical realities and this has profoundly shaped my scholarship as an Indigenous ally.  Now... to your actual question...

In my own Canadian social work context, we tend to use anti-colonial theory rather than CRT. In fact I don't think I have seen a Canadian Indigenous scholar in my field use CRT... Although there is an overlap between the two theories and Indigenous peoples are clearly racialized, there is much more going on than just race. There is a whole history of land-grabs and genocide and colonizing policies and processes that are not well-enough explained by CRT, in my opinion. I believe that the relationship with the land is of highest important when thinking about any issues related to Indigenous peoples. 

Thanks for asking the question and I look forward to other people's thought on the topic.

I'm not familia with CRT so your question is difficult to answer directly. However i am an Aboriginal researcher so I may be able to provide some assistance on the cultural aspect. Silvia (answer above) touched on a critical issue when she said that you need to reflect on your personal values. Why do you really want to do the research in this area? If this is not clear to you from the start, Aboriginal people will be able to detect your sincerity. Not so much in what you say but in your behaviour. The reasons why you do the research is more important than the outcome for this area of research, especially when talking to Aboriginal people, as racism in Australia, and for other Indig populations is so subtle and widespread that it is often considered normal behaviour. For example, spend an afternoon shopping with one of the elderly Aboriginal women and observe how people react to her. It will open your eyes to racism. Again, ask yourself why you want to do this research? It really is a heavy topic to talk to Aboriginal people about.

Maybe a lighter and more enjoyable research topic for you would be Aboriginal humor. It has rarely been written about, which seems unusual, as it is one of the cornerstones of Aboriginal culture.

Thanks Philipp, Silvia and Reece, for your answers. I agree, Philipp that CRT is by and large not of concern to indigenous researchers, and more of a contention for non-indigenous researchers. And Silvia, I've picked up too elsewhere that colonization is significant, perhaps more than race. I also see position as being important, though I think that too is important in CRT, though perhaps in a different way. Reece, I like your idea of research on humour, though I'm not game to take that one on!

Thanks Amanda, yes I've read Shawn's book and it is excellent!

I would recommend contacting Annabell Wilson, at Flinders, for a good starting point. Tell her I suggested you contact her.

As for CRT, my first thought is - what are you planning on researching, have you spoken to relevant people in the Indigneous community on your thoughts, plans and your personal suitability for the research.

Also, I would suggest you critically look at why you are wanting to do this research. Is it for your career advancement, or do you have a personal reason for it. If you are unsure, these are the sorts of things that you will need to explore within yourself.

You might also explore the notion of recriprocity, what is each side, researcher and researched, going to gain from it.

The framework of decolonisation offers an opportunity for respectful research.

Thanks Lorraine. I have been doing research in Aboriginal community contexts in the NT, WA and TAS for the last 11 years. From a theoretical perspective I like Nakata's cultural interface and Christie's generative research approaches. However, I'm looking at CRT as a lens to see how it might or might not fit. I'll look up Annabell for sure :)

I am in agreement with those who have suggested an anti-colonial lens for research with indigenous peoples as perhaps the "best" fit, but I also think that an anti-colonial lens can be employed successfully in conjunction with CRT. CRT can provide an overview of "the landscape" with respect to legal statutes and outcomes, structures such as schooling including residential schools, etc. The anti-colonial lens looks at the sociology of colonialism and its effects: how it has pathologized, demonized, denigrated, and oppressed indigenous peoples, as well as the effect on those in power (which loops back to Whiteness studies within CRT or to an antiracism framework). Together the two frameworks can be utilized to provide a more complete theoretical analysis. It is critical however, as others have mentioned, for non-indigenous researchers to be highly reflective and reflexive about their work; to work with the community,  to engage them in ways that the research provides real benefit to them (one of the goals of CRT is that piece of self-understanding for the communities in question). The Denzin, N. K., et al. (2008). Handbook of critical and indigenous methodologies. Los Angeles, Sage. provides some good chapters using one framework or the other, and as a whole provides insight as to how to utilize both frameworks concurrently.

Thanks for your thoughtful response Deborah. I think its definitely a case of one size not fitting all with regard to this question.

I'm late to this question but I can't resist chiming in. Lots of good responses that came back again and again to context and to relationships. I was especially glad to see Shawn Wilson's Research is Ceremony recommended - Shawn is a member of ResearchGate and, in my experience, is open to discussing this kind of question. He gave a talk at my institution last spring and introduced us to the term "indigenist research." As I understand it, it is doing research in an indigenous way, and it is inclusive of non-indigenous researchers, like you, John. Again, context and relationship. I encourage my students to look at CRT as it can provide some valuable tools for understanding the complex web of the colonial experience. Decolonizing research is also critical and I agree wholeheartedly with Deborah that the two can combine in  powerful ways. I see both approaches, as well as feminist/gender theory, as helping to push back the veil that continues to camouflage and obscure hegemonic society dynamics.

Best of luck with your work and a gentle (ish) reminder that, for those of us who have been the subject of study as well as the object of oppression and worse, research must be done with a true commitment to relationship and respect.

Thanks for your response Julie Anne. I've read Shawn's book and like what he has to say. The impression I have from reading other Indigenist writers is that this is not the space for non-Indigenous researchers. Thanks also for the reminder. Those non-Indigenous researchers I work with who are doing evaluation and research in (Aboriginal) remote communities within Australia are most keen to do just as you say. I am concerned about many who are new to this kind of research who have no idea; and also those commissioners of research and evaluation that also have no idea!

Hi John, thanks for posting this question. The discussion is useful for me too.

I wonder if you might be able to share some of the references regarding other Indigenous writers who instead suggest that 'indigenist research' might not be for non-Indigenous researchers.

Thanks in advance!