Research that partners with Indigenous communities, peoples and nations can help to not only address systemic health inequities rooted in colonialism and anti-Indigenous racism but can also act as a positive step towards advancing reconciliation. In short, health research in collaboration with Indigenous peoples is important and necessary.
However, many health researchers are unsure of how to best explore research relationships with Indigenous peoples and communities. As a result, Ganawishkadawe – The Centre for Wise Practices in Indigenous Health (GCWP-IH) at Women’s College Hospital (WCH) has developed a series of resources specifically for health science researchers. The Centre for Wise Practices is a place for education, advocacy, traditional healing, clinical care and Indigenous scholarship.
“Through identifying established foundational principles, frameworks, and resources, our aim is to help researchers learn how to start and continue research initiatives in a good way, while clearly defining the ethical expectations and rules of conducting research with Indigenous peoples,” explains Emily Simmonds, GCWP-IH research manager.
Resources include:
- FAQ: Ethical Conduct for Research with Indigenous Peoples
- Annotated Bibliography: Indigenous Research Ethics Guidelines
- Indigenous Data Sovereignty & Data Governance Primer
The resources introduce valuable concepts, like applying a rights-based approach, Indigenous data sovereignty, traditional knowledge and Indigenous methodologies, among others. “We believe that these resources provide beneficial and straightforward guidance for health researchers, empowering them to further explore research relationships with Indigenous peoples and to do so through a foundation of trust, respect and reciprocity,” Simmonds said.