Field research often reflects the colonial history of research on Indigenous peoples, and with it painful memories. There are extremely problematic dynamics that come into play when researchers go to indigenous people for answers. Linda Tuhiwai Smith lays out the connection of research to colonialism and imperialism, and the pain and hurt research has caused and continues to cause indigenous peoples. To ameliorate this painful dynamic, it is vital to ensure that research empowers Native voices rather than exploits them. Native ideas should not be treated as raw materials needing packaging and analysis by Western scholars before they constitute authoritative knowledge, but as inherently authoritative. One important notion for researchers seeking indigenous voices is the idea of “reporting back,” that there should be information reciprocity, cooperation, and mutual benefit.

"Research was talked about both in terms of its absolute worthlessness to us... and its absolute usefulness to those who wielded it... It told us things already known, suggested things that would not work, and made careers for the people who already had jobs" (Tuhiwai-Smith).