A Participatory Assessment of Environmental Health Concerns in an Ojibwa Community

Abstract

This research employed a participatory approach to explore environmental health (EH) concerns among Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) Ojibwa Indians in Sawyer County, Wisconsin. The project was grounded in a broad ecological conceptualization of EH and in principles of health promotion and community participation. Community participation was accomplished through a steering committee that consisted of the primary author and LCO College faculty and community members. The selected assessment methodology was a self-administered survey mailed to LCO members in Sawyer County. Concern for environmental issues was high in this tribal community, especially for future generations. Concern was higher among older members and tribal members living on rather than off the reservation. Local environmental issues of concern were motorized water vehicles, effects from global warming, aging septic systems on waterways, unsafe driving, and contaminated lakes/streams. The LCO community can use survey results to inform further data needs and program development.

Commentary: New Collaborations With Native Americans in the Conduct of Community Research

“…The recommendations of the expert panel are consistent with recommendations that have been observed in the literature about doing research with Indian communities (Akwesasne Research Advisory Committee, 1996; American Indian Law Center, 1994; Davis & Reid, 1999;Fisher & Ball, 2003;Foster, Bernstein, & Carter, 1998;Foster et al, 1999;Macaulay et al, 1998;Matsunaga et al, 1996;Moran, 2002;Severtson, Baumann, & Will, 2002;Stubben, 1997). This literature is rapidly increasing and should be reviewed by individuals desiring to work with Native populations.…”

Lessons from the Navajo: Assistance with Environmental Data Collection Ensures Cultural Humility and Data Relevance

“…This feeling can be generalized to experiences of other Native American tribes, citing contact with outside researchers only during the data collection process, publication of their results solely for professional audiences, and disappearance of the researchers after the fact. [16][17][18] Failure to report results back to communities and Navajo decision makers minimizes the possible benefits to the Navajo Nation, such as public health interventions and remedial action. Perhaps most significant are the inappropriate approaches and attitudes researchers have toward the Navajo people during data acquisition, resulting in misinterpretations and disrespect of Navajo culture.…”

Balancing Empiricism and Local Cultural Knowledge in the Design of Prevention Research

“…As such, CBPR has been employed in many recent AIAN prevention studies. [59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68] …”