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Chicago Citation Style 18th Edition

This guide will help you cite sources in Chicago Citation Style 18th Edition.

Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers

Numbers in parentheses refer to specific chapters and sections in The Chicago Manual (18th ed.) 

Unlike other personal communications, Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers should be cited in the notes and in the bibliography.

General Format

Full Note

1. First Names Last Name, (Traditional Names [if applicable]), Nation/Community, Treaty Territory [if applicable], City/Community they live in [if applicable], Topic/Subject of communication [if not mentioned in the text], interview [specify only if not clear from the text], month day, year.

Bibliography

Last Name, First Name (Traditional Names [if applicable]). Nation/Community. Treaty Territory [if applicable]. City/Community they live in [if applicable]. Topic/Subject of communication. Interview, month day, year.

Example

Full Note

1. Delores Cardinal, Goodfish Lake Cree Nation, Treaty 6, lives in Edmonton, Oral Teaching, interview, April 4, 2004.

Bibliography

Cardinal, Delores. Goodfish Lake Cree Nation. Treaty 6. Lives in Edmonton. Oral Teaching. Interview, April 4, 2004.

Tips

For additional considerations related to Indigenous languages and to conventions in English (including capitalization of terms like Elder), see 11.49–52

Notes

Some Elders and Knowledge keepers will prefer to be listed under their Traditional Name rather than their legal name, sometimes without listing a legal name also. Whenever possible, confirm with the Elder or Knowledge Keeper.
If you would like to approach an Elder or Knowledge Keeper for teachings, remember to follow protocol. If you are unsure what their protocol is, please ask them ahead of time.

Who is an Elder or Knowledge Keeper? (video)

WATCH 
This video will introduce you to citing Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers. As you watch, consider what defines an Elder or Knowledge Keeper.

This video includes guidance developed by Indigenous librarians at NorQuest College, UBC's X̱wi7x̱wa Library, and Simon Fraser University. Please note it may not align exactly with the guidance outlined in the 18th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style.

Indigenous Information Literacy - Chicago Elder Citation by Rachel Chong at KPU Library (2021).

Citing Treaties

Treaties may be cited as legal documents/legislation or as primary documents/archival materials.