Community-Based Participatory Research (Cbpr) with Indigenous Communities: Producing Respectful and Reciprocal Research

Abstract

The health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada continue to grow despite an expanding body of research that attempts to address these inequalities, including increased attention from the field of health geography. Here, we draw upon a case study of our own community-based approach to health research with Anishinabe communities in northern Ontario as a means of advocating the growth of such participatory approaches. Using our own case as an example, we demonstrate how a collaborative approach to respectful and reciprocal research can be achieved, including some of the challenges we faced in adopting this approach.

Gimiigiwemin: Putting Knowledge Translation Into Practice With Anishinaabe Communities

“…Yet doing so necessitates that researchers are respectful of the unique ways of knowing and sharing knowledge held by these individuals. The successful inclusion of Elders in this study was the result of the CBPR approach (Tobias et al, 2013), which facilitated the adoption of culturally appropriate research methods.…”

“…Knowledge translation occurred throughout the research project (see Tobias et al 2013, Tobias & Richmond 2014, from the collaborative development of our analytical framework to sessions for reviewing and providing feedback on preliminary results. Members of the research team were in contact with Elders, youth, advisory committee members, and members from each community throughout analysis of the research findings.…”

“…As such, a research project was developed with a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach that privileged both Indigenous and non-Indigenous ways of knowing and allowed researchers and the communities to work together as partners in creating and implementing the research. The hybrid approach taken within this research-through project development, recruitment of Elders, research implementation, and analysis-is detailed in a previous publication (see Tobias, Richmond, & Luginaah, 2013). The purpose of this paper is to explore how integrated knowledge translation was used to build strategies of environmental repossession.…”

Developing Ethical Research Practices Between Institutional and Community Partners: A Look at the Current Base of Literature Surrounding Memorandums of Understanding in Canada

“…In addition, Canadian Research Ethics Boards (REBs) that govern and grant research projects using the Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS) 1 continue to rethink and redevelop their institutional policies to better protect Indigenous communities and support researchers involved in Indigenous-based research (Tobias, Richmond, & Luginaah, 2013). For example, the TCPS contains key concepts, definitions, and methods for interpreting and applying the ethics framework in an Indigenous context.…”

“…Particularly positive is the growth in Indigenous self-determination practices applied to research (Kovach, 2009;Louis, 2007;Smith, 1999). Now, more than ever before, we are witnessing a considerable growth in the number of Indigenous communities and organizations not only participating in research but leading and executing research with the goal of making positive changes (Richmond, 2016).In addition, Canadian Research Ethics Boards (REBs) that govern and grant research projects using the Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS) 1 continue to rethink and redevelop their institutional policies to better protect Indigenous communities and support researchers involved in Indigenous-based research (Tobias, Richmond, & Luginaah, 2013). For example, the TCPS contains key concepts, definitions, and methods for interpreting and applying the ethics framework in an Indigenous context.…”