The Gold King Mine Spill (Spill) occurred in August 2015 upstream from Silverton, Colorado and released three million gallons of contaminated water into the Animas River, a tributary to the San Juan River that flows across the Navajo Nation. Using principles of community-engaged research, the Gold King Mine Spill Diné Exposure Project co-developed a culturally anchored approach to conduct focus groups and analyze narratives collected in three Diné (Navajo) communities along the San Juan River within 9 months of the Spill. Focus group questions were designed to document the socio-cultural impacts of the Spill. This paper: (1) outlines the partnerships and approvals; (2) describes focus group design, training, data collection and analysis; and (3) reflects on the use of a culturally anchored approach in Indigenous, specifically Diné-centered research. Diné social and cultural etiquette and concepts of relationality were used to adapt standard (non-Indigenous) qualitative methods. Findings describe community perceptions of short-term impacts of the disaster, as well as past and present injustices, communication related to the Spill, and concerns of persistent threats to Diné lifeways. The culturally anchored approach was critical in fostering trust with Diné participants and aligned with the candor of the discussions.
Community-based participatory research (CBPR) has been documented as an effective approach to research with underserved communities, particularly with racial and ethnic minority groups. However, much of the literature promoting the use of CBPR with underserved communities is written from the perspective of the researchers and not from the perspective of the community partner. The purpose of this article is to capture lessons learned from the community partners’ insight gained through their experiences with CBPR. A multi-investigator consensus method was used to qualitatively code the transcripts of a CBPR story-telling video series. Seven major themes were identified: (1) expectations for engaging in research, (2) cultural humility, (3) respecting the partnership, (4) open communication, (5) genuine commitment, (6) valuing strengths and recognizing capacities, and (7) collaborating to yield meaningful results. The themes drawn from the community partner’s voice align with the tenets of CBPR advanced in the academic literature. More opportunities to include the community voice when promoting CBPR should be undertaken to help introduce the concepts to potential community partners who may be research cautious.
BACKGROUND Despite experiencing many adversities, American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) have demonstrated tremendous resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, drawing upon Indigenous determinants of health (IDOH) and Indigenous Nation-Building. OBJECTIVE Our multidisciplinary team undertook this study to achieve two aims: 1) to determine the role of IDOH in tribal government policy and action that support Indigenous mental health and wellbeing, and in turn, resilience during the COVID-19 crisis; and 2) to document the impact of IDOH on Indigenous mental health, wellbeing, and resilience of four specific community groups, including first responders, educators, traditional knowledge holders and practitioners, and the substance abuse recovery community, living and/or working in or near three Native nations in Arizona. METHODS To guide this study, we developed a conceptual framework based upon IDOH, Indigenous Nation-Building, and concepts of Indigenous Mental Wellbeing and Resilience. The research process was guided by the CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance to honor tribal and data sovereignty. Data were collected through a mixed methods research design - including interviews, talking circles, asset mapping, and coding of executive orders - that documented the contextual factors that contribute to mental health and wellbeing among Native nations. Special attention was placed on the assets and culturally, socially, and geographically distinct features of each Native nation and the communities within them. Our study was unique in that our research team consisted of predominantly Indigenous scholars and community researchers representing at least eight tribes and nations in the United States. The members of the team, regardless of whether they identified as Indigenous or non-Indigenous, have many collective years of experience working with Indigenous peoples and are committed to the health and wellbeing of tribal communities. RESULTS The number of participants enrolled in this study was 105 adults, with a total of 92 individuals interviewed and 13 individuals engaged in four talking circles. Due to time constraints, the team elected to host talking circles with only one nation, with participants ranging from 2-6 in each group. Currently, we are in the process of conducting a qualitative analysis of the transcribed narratives from the interviews, talking circles, and executive orders. These processes and outcomes will be described in future manuscripts. CONCLUSIONS This community-engaged study lays the groundwork for future studies addressing Indigenous mental health, wellbeing, and resilience. Findings from this study will be shared through presentations and publications to larger Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences; local recovery groups, treatment centers, and individuals in recovery; K-12 and higher education educators and administrators; directors of first responder agencies; traditional medicine practitioners; and elected community leaders. The findings will also be used to produce wellbeing and resilience education materials, such as print and digital toolkits, in-service training sessions, and future recommendations for stakeholder organizations. CLINICALTRIAL N/A
Background: Scholars and students drawn to health research with underserved communities often are motivated by their commitment to understand and change poor health outcomes. Yet, they may have limited exposure to application and translation skills and struggle to convey the potential of their work to communities. Exposure to application and translation skills training can augment scholars’ and students’ existing skills to communicate with communities, local leadership, and practitioners. Objective: The intention of Research, Application and Translation Academy (RATA) developed by the Outreach Core of the NCI funded Native American Cancer Research Prevention Partnership was to provide and augment the understanding of application and translation processes and project-specific technical assistance to develop educational information in a range of media, research- informed policy briefs, and presentations. Methods: RATA framework uses a three- stage training approach: awareness through acceptance to adoption. The training is provided to research teams, ideally with community partners. Components include: 1) Overview of terms, steps to identify characteristics of a targeted audience, and review of communication venues, e.g., presentations, radio, newspaper, social media and policy briefs; 2) team-based practice in defining characteristics and motivations of specific target audiences, message design and local methods and trusted sources of communication; and 4) implementation of communication and message strategies; and 5) evaluation of outreach. Conclusion: RATA strengths include the use of team-based exercises, a review of effective and ineffective messaging, incorporating interactive technology platforms, project-specific technical support, and evaluation metrics. Challenges are leadership investment and understanding of the importance of non-scientific dissemination, and a tendency to not incorporate RATA skills or move plans to action. With the emphasis on steps to identify the target audience, tailor the messages, use locally effective communication strategies and action, RATA can contribute to conveying that the knowledge generated in health research can benefit communities. Citation Format: Carol Goldtooth, Andria Begay, Nicolette I. Teufel-Shone. Community focused research, application and translation academy for investigators [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: Thirteenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2020 Oct 2-4. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(12 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-048.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This community-engaged study aims to adapt and feasibility test a breast and cervical cancer education program for Native American (NA) women with disabilities. This presentation reports on the formative work leading to a program for feasibility testing. Intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are disabilities that are diagnosed in childhood and involve limitations in intellectual functioning and/or adaptive behaviors. Women with IDD are less likely to receive breast and cervical cancer screenings than the general population of women in the U.S. Women with IDD who identify as racial/ethnic minorities are less likely to receive recommended preventive health screenings, like cancer screenings. Further, the general population of NA women in the U.S. are less likely to receive cancer screenings. The cancer education program aims to address inequities in cancer screenings for NA women with IDD. METHODS: The university teams worked with HOPI Cancer Support Services and Tucson Indian Center to adapt the cancer education program with input from NA women with IDD, caregivers, service providers, and community leaders. The program was refined in focus groups with health and disability services providers (n=12), partner site program staff (n=12), caregivers (n=12), and NA women with IDD (n=12). RESULTS: Focus groups offered input on program structure and content, including the program name. Participants contributed modifications to trauma-informed features, the program’s use of imagery and storytelling, and methods for hybrid virtual/telephonic and in- person program delivery. Key input included the need to incorporate: sites’ existing health education staff and resources into the program; culturally relevant imagery and language; engaging activities for the women to learn about their anatomy and about cancer screenings; and caregiver education. Participants noted the importance of engaging NA women with IDD and/or cancer survivors in delivering the educational program. They also encouraged the research team to emphasize the benefits of early detection of cancer in order to reduce long-term morbidity and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Engaging community in the cultural adaptation of an evidence-based breast and cervical cancer curriculum generates a program that is responsive to and builds on community expectations, needs, and existing infrastructure. The team will test the feasibility of the program by assessing recruitment and retention, and exploring preliminary program outcomes. Citation Format: Julie S. Armin, Heather J. Williamson, Janet Rothers, Julie Baldwin, Marissa Adams, Myka Becenti, Andria Begay, Tara Chico- Jarillo, Jennifer Etcitty, Michele Lee, Leticia Lelli, Bailey Lockwood, Celeste Núñez, Samantha Sasse, Neida Rodriguez. Refining a breast and cervical cancer screening program for Native American women with disabilities [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: Thirteenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2020 Oct 2-4. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(12 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-026.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.