Building True Capacity: Indigenous Models for Indigenous Communities

Abstract

Within the past 2 decades, community capacity building and community empowerment have emerged as key strategies for reducing health disparities and promoting public health. As with other strategies and best practices, these concepts have been brought to indigenous (American Indian and Alaska Native) communities primarily by mainstream researchers and practitioners. Mainstream models and their resultant programs, however, often have limited application in meeting the needs and realities of indigenous populations. Tribes are increasingly taking control of their local health care services. It is time for indigenous people not only to develop tribal programs but also to define and integrate the underlying theoretical and cultural frameworks for public health application.

Role of non-Indigenous researchers in Indigenous health research in Australia: a review of the literature

“…Even though there has been criticism of a research partnership model between Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers, 15 there are several successful models of non-Indigenous research involvement that have been described in the literature. Central to the success of these is the awareness of the power imbalance that exists between the researcher and those being researched.…”

“…15 However, because of fundamental differences between Western and Indigenous perspectives, partnership models of research have inherent problems. Issues include criticisms that Western research is too linear, static and time oriented and its inherent inflexibility impedes Indigenous community involvement.…”

“…Issues include criticisms that Western research is too linear, static and time oriented and its inherent inflexibility impedes Indigenous community involvement. 15 It is important to recognise that an Indigenous model of research would most likely be implemented from the ground up (where the research is driven and owned by Indigenous communities), whereas the Western model usually involves a top-down approach. 15 A focus on understanding and transforming power relationships that goes beyond the concepts of partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers has been suggested.…”

“…15 It is important to recognise that an Indigenous model of research would most likely be implemented from the ground up (where the research is driven and owned by Indigenous communities), whereas the Western model usually involves a top-down approach. 15 A focus on understanding and transforming power relationships that goes beyond the concepts of partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers has been suggested. 15 These new directions have led to accusations of political correctness from some in the academic establishment, and some traditional academics have successfully managed to silence Indigenous opposition to Western established methods of research.…”

“…15 A focus on understanding and transforming power relationships that goes beyond the concepts of partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers has been suggested. 15 These new directions have led to accusations of political correctness from some in the academic establishment, and some traditional academics have successfully managed to silence Indigenous opposition to Western established methods of research. 16 Such ethnocentric perspectives could be seen as institutional racism 17 and are counter-productive in enabling changes that potentially enhance fundamental goals of academic institutions of learning and innovation.…”