Question

Many Indigenous peoples in Canada have poorer health when compared to other cultural groups. As such, there is an obligation of health and academic institutions to support research with Indigenous peoples in an attempt to eliminate these health disparities. It is common, however, for Indigenous peoples to have concerns about health research conducted by 'outsiders' in their community.

• List three potential issues you might encounter when trying to conduct research in an Indigenous community.
• Choose one of these and include a possible solution to this issue.  

Please give another point of view?

Answer 1

1.) Indigenous peoples may have concerns that health research under the control of outsiders will come to conclusions about Indigenous health disparities that stereotype, pathologize, and/or marginalize Indigenous peoples

2.)They may think the researchers might be instrumental in rationalizing colonialist perceptions of Indigenous incapacity and the need for paternalistic control of Indigenous interests

3.) Indigenous people may also fear that researchers might deduce that Indigenous peoples are sick and incapable of self-care

Solution : Indigenous peoples have the right to control research that generates knowledge affecting their well-being. Community members need workshops and training sessions that will inform them how to negotiate with health researchers, let them know their rights as research participants, and build their skills to conduct their own research. Non-Indigenous researchers require appropriate ethical guidelines to follow and training opportunities that offer guidance on Indigenous ways of knowing, the social determinants of health, strength-based research approaches, community-based participatory research, and how to engage in culturally appropriate ways with Indigenous peoples.