Position statement: Research and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in rural health journals

Abstract

We acknowledge the importance of the individual language and naming conventions of different Indigenous nations. This statement has used the term Indigenous peoples as defined by the United Nations. However, we respect the right of nations to determine, define and name their cultural identity as and when they choose.

Reconciliation and Indigenous self-determination in health research: A call to action

“…A growing number of journals, including PLOS journals, are discouraging parachute or helicopter research [11], or calling for author reflexivity statements [12] while other journals have initiated calls for transparent positionality as a required component for Indigenous health research [13]. We support these calls that have been presented in the Australian Journal of Rural Health, Rural & Remote Health, and the Canadian Journal of Rural Medicine [13] and we echo that call for Indigenous health globally.…”

The commercialization of biospecimens from Indigenous Peoples: A scoping review of benefit-sharing

“…Authorship and representation may have affected the narrative of the articles reviewed, and the focus of the content. As previously noted, positionality of authorship is becoming an increasing necessity for works that seek to draw conclusions and implications for Indigenous communities (i.e., nothing about Indigenous Peoples without Indigenous Peoples) ( 18 ).…”

“…Despite the lack of wider appreciation for Indigenous research methodological approaches, it is additionally important for the authors to position themselves as Indigenous Peoples working with the purpose to improve the health and wellbeing of their communities in this current work. This positionality is becoming an increasing necessity for works that seek to draw conclusions and implications for Indigenous communities (i.e., nothing about Indigenous Peoples, without Indigenous Peoples) ( 18 ). With this, the first author is a second-year medical student and an enrolled member of the Kiowa Tribe in the United States and Onondaga from Six Nations, Canada (T.T).…”

Reconciliation and Publication Standards at CANDJ

“…1,2 A small handful of academic journals have enacted processes for highlighting the Indigenous cultural identity of authors and instituted ethical considerations and criteria for publishing content concerning Indigenous communities. [3][4][5][6][7] Likewise, some educational institutions in Canada have adopted research standards in accordance with the Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS 2) Chapter 9 and the First Nations Principles of OCAP® (ownership, control, access, and possession). [8][9][10][11][12] However, few academic journals outside of the field of Indigenous Studies have incorporated these guidelines into their publishing standards.…”

“…[8][9][10][11][12] However, few academic journals outside of the field of Indigenous Studies have incorporated these guidelines into their publishing standards. 3,[5][6][7]13 To our knowledge, CANDJ is the first naturopathic journal worldwide to adopt editorial policies that recognize the inherent rights of self-determination of Indigenous Peoples.…”