Ethical research engagement with Indigenous communities

Abstract

Introduction: Canada's colonial policies and practices have led to barriers for Indigenous older adults' access to healthcare and research. As a result, there is a need for Indigenous-led research and culturally safe practices. Morning Star Lodge is developing a training module to assist AgingTech researchers on ethical, culturally safe ways to engage Indigenous communities. This includes exploring Indigenous health research, community-based partnerships, reciprocal learning, and cultural safety; this is presented through a case study on ethically engaged research.

Methods: Morning Star Lodge developed a research partnership agreement with File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council and established a Community Research Advisory Committee representing the eleven First Nations within the Tribal Council. The work designing the culturally safe training module is in collaboration with the Community Research Advisory Committee.

Results: Building research partnerships and capacities has changed the way the eleven First Nation communities within File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council view research. As a result, they now disseminate the knowledge within their own networks.

Conclusions: Indigenous Peoples are resilient in ensuring their sustainability and have far more community engagement and direction. Developing culturally safe approaches to care for Indigenous communities leads to self-determined research. Culturally safe training modules can be applied to marginalized demographics.

Keywords: Ethically engaged research; Indigenous community-based research; ageing; community-based partnerships; cultural safety.