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MLA

A guide to using MLA 9th referencing style

First People's knowledges

Works Cited

Surname, Given Name(s) (Traditional Name [if applicable], Nation/Community). A Concise but Informative Description of the Oral Teaching. Day Month, Year, Place Communicated. 

Example:

Dharriwaa Elders Group (Wayamba & Yuwaalaraay & Ngayiimbaa). A Discussion on Cultural Fire Burning. 21 Sep. 2024, Walgett.

In text

Elders shared … (Dharriwaa Elders Group).

Notes

  • Always verify and obtain permission to ensure that the information is appropriate for sharing and to determine if additional cultural protocols are required.
  • Some Elders and Knowledge Keepers will prefer to be listed under their Traditional Name rather than their legal name. It is important to ask the Knowledge Keeper how they wish to be referred. 
  • Confirm specific citation details (such as the individual's Nation or the Community to whom they belong) directly with the Knowledge Keeper before including them. 
  • Include any additional contextual information that is significant to the communication in the citation and helps convey the content and origin of the source of information.
  • For further information, see the MLA Style Blog's article How do I Cite Indigenous Oral teachings?

Published and secondary sources

Secondary sources on First Nations peoples, cultures, and histories – including published books, articles, and other publicly available materials – should be cited according to their source type (for example, book, article). However, extra care is advised, particularly with older materials, to ensure respectful and accurate representation.

When citing works by Indigenous authors or Indigenous knowledge referenced by non-Indigenous authors, refer to the Indigenous Referencing Guidance for Indigenous Knowledges [PDF, 9.47MB]. This toolkit offers guidance on respectful attribution, including:

  • A decision-making tool for selecting appropriate sources (page 7).
  • Protocols and responsibilities for citing First Peoples' knowledges (page 12).

A key recommendation is to include the Indigenous person’s Nation, Country, or Language group in your citation when possible. While referencing examples in this document are provided in APA style, they can be adapted to other styles such as MLA.

For additional advice on referencing and using culturally appropriate language when writing with, for, or about First Nations peoples, consult the relevant section of the Australian Government Style Manual.