Decolonizing evaluation: The necessity of evaluation advisory groups in indigenous evaluation

Research was and is central to the colonization and contemporary political realities of Indigenous communities. Because evaluation is a form of research and evaluation researchers are not immune to these oppressive practices, it is essential that evaluators acknowledge and engage with this history. One way to do this is through the use of advisory groups in evaluation research. This chapter will explicate how evaluation advisory groups can help evaluation practi-tioners decolonize their practice. Decolonized evaluation is centered in Indigenous values and goals. It ensures that evaluation processes and outcomes are appropriate to native communities by centering Indigenous worldviews, actively including Indigenous participation, and focusing on relevance as defined by Indigenous communities.