Research with Indigenous Populations

SOWK645November 1, 2012

Anishinaabe Artist Norval Morrisseau (1931-2007): Shaman’s Ride

Adam Lindenburger, Larissa Travis, Judy Iacovitti, Natalie St-Denis

Indigenous Peoples

of the World

http://geology.com/world/

Who are Indigenous Peoples?

It is estimated that there are more than 370 million indigenous people spread across 70 countries worldwide. Practicing unique traditions, they retain social, cultural, economic and political characteristics that are distinct from those of the dominant societies in which they live. Spread across the world from the Arctic to the South Pacific, they are the descendants - according to a common definition - of those who inhabited a country or a geographical region at the time when people of different cultures or ethnic origins arrived. The new arrivals later became dominant through conquest, occupation, settlement or other means.

United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issueshttp://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/5session_factsheet1.pdf

Understanding the term “indigenous” Considering the diversity of indigenous peoples, an official definition

of “indigenous” has not been adopted by any UN-system body. Instead the system has developed a modern understanding of this term based on the following:

Self- identification as indigenous peoples at the individual level and accepted by the community as their member.

Historical continuity with pre-colonial and/or pre-settler societies

Strong link to territories and surrounding natural resources

Distinct social, economic or political systems

Distinct language, culture and beliefs

Form non-dominant groups of society

Resolve to maintain and reproduce their ancestral environments and systems as distinctive peoples and communities.

United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

Region Bands Reserves Land Base (ha)

Atlantic 32 68 29,561.6

Quebec 26 31 77,131.5

Ontario 113 189 709,985.8

Manitoba 53 104 214,803.7

Saskatchewan 69 143 616,815.9

Alberta 40 100 668,880.1

British Columbia

200 1606 353,324.2

NWT 1 2 562.1

Yukon 7 24 499.6

Totals 551 2267 2,671,564.50.2 % of land area in Canada Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

Canada, 1991

Aboriginal peoples of CanadaRelease no. 5: January 15, 2008

In 2006, Aboriginal people in Canada - First Nations, Métis and Inuit - surpassed the one-million mark, reaching 1,172,790.

Between 1996 and 2006, the Aboriginal population grew by 45%, compared with 8% for the non-Aboriginal population.

The census counted 50,485 Inuit, 389,785 Métis and 698,025 First Nations people in 2006.

It is estimated that there will be between 1.7 and 2,2 million Aboriginal peoples in Canada by 2031.

Statistics Canada, 2008

Why do we need Indigenous

research methodologies?

Aboriginal Worldview

Maliseet Artist Arlene Dozay Christmas Logo for The Atlantic Aboriginal Economic Development Integrated Research Program

The Experience of Urban Aboriginals with Health Care Services in Canada

 Purpose To examine how urban Aboriginals feel about current medical services Skills and knowledge of practitioners Areas of health services in need of improvement for Aboriginals Criteria Availability Accessibility AcceptabilityResults Knowledge Skills Attitudes and Values Problematic Services and Programs Health Care Settings 

Levin. R., & Hebert, M., 2004  

Differences experienced when doing research

with Indigenous Populations

Factor Western Indigenous

Approach CompartmentalizedIndividualistic

HolisticRelational

Communication

WrittenArbitrary

Oral Relational

Taught Lectures ObservationsExperiences

Explanation TheoreticalUnbiased

SpiritualSocial Values

Parliamentary Research Service , 2004

Seeing Evidence, Sharing Truths: Health Research Partnerships with Indigenous Communities

 

Cheu, H., 2012

Illuminating the Lived Experiences of Research with

Indigenous Communities Purpose: Phenomenological study to

illuminate the lived experiences of both indigenous and non-indigenous researchers conducting culturally competent research with indigenous people.

“Because of past exploitation and culturally inappropriate methodology, research conjures up distrust and is considered a “dirty” word for many indigenous communities” (Burnette et al, 2011, p.278)

Burnette, C. E., Sanders, S., Butcher, H. K., & Salois, E. M, 2011 

The ResultsSix Core Themes: Each was present in each of the

13 participant descriptions of their experience.

Cultivating Deep Respect and Commitment

Building Mutual Trust

Creating Affirmation Through Relationships

Finding Harmony among Multiple Worldviews

Assuming Personal Responsibility

Growing Spiritually and Personally

Burnette, C. E., Sanders, S., Butcher, H. K., & Salois, E. M, 2011

Tri-Council Ethics Guidelines of

Canada The Tri-Council Policy Statement is a joint

policy of Canada’s three federal research agencies: The Canadian Institutes of Health Research

(CIHR) The Natural Sciences and Engineering

Research Council of Canada (NSERC) The Social Sciences and Humanities Research

Council of Canada (SSHRC)

It’s primary purpose is to promote ethical conduct of research involving humans

http://www.ethics.gc.ca/pdf/eng/tcps2/TCPS_2_FINAL_Web.pdf

Research involving First Nations, Inuit and Metis

peoples of Canada To receive funding for indigenous research, institutions must

agree to adhere to the conditions outlined in Chapter 9.

It is offered in a spirit of respect. It is not intended to override or replace ethical guidance offered by Aboriginal peoples themselves.

Chapter 9 works to re-interpret Ethics Frameworks to reflect the Aboriginal Context.

For instance, a revised definition of the 3 core ethical values of human dignity: Respect for Persons, Concern for Welfare, and Justice.

The policy may be useful for research involving indigenous people outside of Canada. DISCLAIMER: seek local guidance in the application and adaptation.

http://www.ethics.gc.ca/pdf/eng/tcps2/TCPS_2_FINAL_Web.pdf

3 Rs of Indigenous Research Respect, Reciprocity &

ResponsibilityAsk yourself, as the researcher:

How do my methods help build respectful relationships between the topic I am studying and myself as the researcher (on multiple levels)?

How do my methods help build successful relationships between myself and other research participants?

How can I relate respectfully to the other participants involved in this research so that together we can form a stronger relationship with the ideas that we will share?

What is my role as the researcher in this relationship and what are my responsibilities?

Am I being responsible in fulfilling my role and obligations to the other participants, to the topic and to all my relations?

What am I contributing or giving back to the relationship? Is the sharing, growth and learning that is taking place reciprocal?

Weber-Pillwax, C., 2001

Class ExerciseThe class will be divided into four groups. Each group will be provided with a social topic affecting Aboriginal peoples of Canada. Your task is to come up with an ethical research question and research approach for your given scenario.

Coast Salish Artist Todd Jason Baker (1965 - ): Bear

What are some potential benefits and harms of conducting research with Indigenous peoples? Inuit Artist Kananginak Pootoogook (1935 - 2010): Amiraijaqtuq (Shedding the Velvet)

Aboriginal scholars refer to non-aboriginal researchers as "research poachers.” These poachers come into the aboriginal community for cultural information, or "gems of knowledge" (10), and use the tribe's knowledge for their own financial and professional gain (Crazy Bull 1997). Often, they exit the community without imparting research benefits, may not offer the results to the community, and/or may relay research findings in language inappropriate to Native worldviews. Non-aboriginal researchers often miss essential truths as they view indigenous people through the lens of their own culture. Often they cannot discern that indigenous knowledge stands on its own and does not require constant comparison(s) to other ways to be understood or validated. (Struthers, R., 2001, p.xx )

Desired outcomes from doing research with Indigenous peoples

Research focused on relevant issues – may not be limited to a single research hypothesis

Reciprocity – participants receive services/ benefits during study, want an end result that benefits the community

Trust

Collaboration

Cultural understanding and respect

Innovative research models

Intellectual knowledge rightsLevin, R., & Herbert, M., 2004; Steinhauer, E, 2002

Differing Opinions about Knowledge

Rights Indigenous peoples believe that knowledge should

be shared within the community; Western society views knowledge as being created and owned.  

In 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UN, Article 27) identified the importance of preserving intellectual property: “Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary, or artistic production of which he is the author.”  

This Article does not reflect the worldview of Indigenous peoples. For instance, pharmaceuticals derived from plants should not be sold for profit.

Parliamentary Research Service, 2004

Concerns Aboriginal peoples of Canada have

with respect to Intellectual Property

Unauthorized copying of works by Aboriginal groups and communities

Infringement of copyright of individual artists

Appropriation of Aboriginal themes and images

Culturally inappropriate use of Aboriginal images and styles by non-Aboriginal creators

Expropriation of traditional knowledge without compensation

Parliamentary Research Service, 2004

Culturally inappropriate use of Aboriginal images

Western measures to protect knowledge

Legislation

Canadian intellectual property laws, such as licensing and copyright

World Intellectual Property Organization looking to create a database that protects traditional Indigenous property

Canada has no specific legislation targeting the protection of Indigenous knowledge, however there are some consultative processes

Assembly of First Nations, 2009; Parliamentary Research Service, 2004

Flaws with Canadian Intellectual Property

Laws To qualify, ideas must be new and unique –

not passed down

Protects individual property – not communal or group knowledge

Favours Western processeso Full disclosure rather than communal

termso Protects static knowledge rather than

evolving knowledge

Assembly of First Nations, 2009; Parliamentary Research Service, 2004

First Nations measures in Canada to protect

knowledge OCAP: Ownership, Control, Access and Possession

The First Nations Principles of OCAP™ means that First Nations control data collection processes in their communities. First Nations own, protect and control how their information is used. Access to First Nations data is important and First Nations determine, under appropriate mandates and protocols, how access to external researchers are facilitated and respected.

The First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC) 0perates under the authority of First Nations and will uphold the Principles of OCAP and protect the individual and collective privacy rights of First Nations. The Centre will be guided by principles, research ethics and a cultural framework developed by First Nations for First Nations.

The First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey (commonly abbreviated to RHS) is the only First Nations governed, national health survey in Canada.

 

International Organizationsthat recognize Indigenous

peoples

UNESCO – Universal Declaration of Cultural Diversity

UN – Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

ReferencesAboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. The Indian Reserve Land Base in Canada. (1991).

http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100034846/1100100034847

Assembly of First Nations, (2009). Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge and Intellectual Property Rights. [Ottawa], 1-20.

Retrieved from http://site.ebrary.com.ezproxy.lib.ucalgary.ca/lib/

ucalgary/docDetail.action?docID=105067

Burnette, C. E., Sanders, S., Butcher, H. K., & Salois, E. M. (2011). Illuminating the lived experiences of research with

indigenous communities. Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 20(4), 275-296.

Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and Social

Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research

Involving Humans. (2010, December). Chapter nine: Research involving the first nations, inuit and metis peoples

of Canada. Retrieved from     http://www.ethics.gc.ca/pdf/eng/tcps2/TCPS_2_FINAL_Web.pdf

 Cheu, H. (2012, July 11). Seeing Evidences, Sharing Truths: Health Research Partnerships with Indigenous

Communities [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=PL_VbCf1mm8

Harms, L., Middleton, J., Whyte, J., Anderson, I., Clarke, A., Sloan, J., Smith, M. (2011). Social work with aboriginal

clients: Perspectives on educational preparation and practice. Australian Social Work, 64(2), 156-168.

 

Levin, R., Hebert, M. (2004). The experience of urban Aboriginals with Health Care Services in Canada:

Implications for Social Work Practice. Social Work in Health Care, 39 (1-2), 165-179.

Lindberg, T. (2008). Review of making space for aboriginal feminism.  Canadian Woman Studies. 26 (3-4),

229-231.

Parliamentary Research Service (2004). Indigenous Intellectual Knowledge and Property Rights. [Ottawa]:

Library of Parliament (p. 1-10). Retrieved from

http://site.ebrary.com.ezproxy.lib.ucalgary.ca/lib/ucalgary/docDetail.action?docID=10168238

Rotwein, H. (2011, November, 3). SportsTeams’ Exploitation of Racial Stereotypes: Flattering or

Offensive [Images]. Retrieved from http://speak.catlin.edu/2011/11/sports-

teams-exploitation-of-racial-stereotypes-flattering-or-offensive/

Statistics Canada (2008). http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/080115/dq080115a-eng.htm

 Steinhauer, E. (2002). Thoughts on an Indigenous Research Method. Canadian Journal of Native Education,

26 (2), 69-81. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.lib.ucalgary.ca/docview/230309895

Struthers, R. (2011). Wicazo Sa Review. A Journal of Native American Studies, 6 (1), 125 – 133

United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues,

http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/5session_factsheet1.pdf

 Weber-Pillwax, C. (2001). What is Indigenous Research? Canadian Journal of Native Education, 25 (2),

166-174. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.lib.ucalgary.ca/docview/230306931