Innovating for Transformation in First Nations Health Using Community-Based Participatory Research

Abstract

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) provides the opportunity to engage communities for sustainable change. We share a journey to transformation in our work with eight Manitoba First Nations seeking to improve the health of their communities and discuss lessons learned. The study used community-based participatory research approach for the conceptualization of the study, data collection, analysis, and knowledge translation. It was accomplished through a variety of methods, including qualitative interviews, administrative health data analyses, surveys, and case studies. Research relationships built on strong ethics and protocols to enhance mutual commitment to support community-driven transformation. Collaborative and respectful relationships are platforms for defining and strengthening community health care priorities. We further discuss how partnerships were forged to own and sustain innovations. This article contributes a blueprint for respectful CBPR. The outcome is a community-owned, widely recognized process that is sustainable while fulfilling researcher and funding obligations.

Sharing linked data sets for research: results from a deliberative public engagement event in British Columbia, Canada

“…This age group is thought to have a higher familiarity with technology use and may thus have a different relationship to data from those with low technology use. We made a specific effort to recruit individuals who identified as Indigenous, as there are distinct norms and practices around data and data sharing in Indigenous communities that were important to reflect in the deliberations [25]. These recruitment choices were made to ensure "normic diversity," where the selection of participants is meant to ensure the presence of non-majoritarian voices as input to decisions that complements dominant voices and experts [26].…”

Negotiation, Reciprocity, and Reality: The Experience of Collaboration in a Community-Based Primary Health Care (CBPHC) Program of Research with Eight Manitoba First Nations

“…The partnership model that evolved through the iPHIT project provides an example of a successful university-community research collaboration and shared governance model. The project focused on the process of establishing relationships with communities, negotiating, and navigating meaningful collaboration between all partners, and keeping two-way lines of communication open throughout the duration of the project (Kyoon-Achan, Lavoie, et al, 2018). The goals of community partners were respected and supported, and communities maintained control over their own community data and research process, which is consistent with seminal work on the subject (Schnarch et al, 2004).…”

“…This was exemplified in the research collaboration: Project Elders were present at all yearly gatherings and included in all community workshops ensuring that community specific protocols were followed, and their perspectives were included in interpreting the findings. The findings of the research are the subject of other iPHIT publications (Kyoon-Achan, Lavoie et al, 2018;Kyoon-Achan, Philips-Beck, et al, 2018). It is important to appreciate that the participatory nature of the project resulted in more meaningful and useful data, increased trust in the research process and in the researchers themselves and the benefits of collaborating with First Nation and Indigenous organizations.…”

“…The goals of community partners were respected and supported, and communities maintained control over their own community data and research process, which is consistent with seminal work on the subject (Schnarch et al, 2004). Embedding the project in the community, fostering a sense of community ownership and control over the research process, and enabling the community to direct the project could also potentially lead to long-term policy change or improvement (Kyoon-Achan, Lavoie, et al, 2018;Kyoon-Achan, Philips-Beck, et al, 2018;Rowley et al, 2000). The iPHIT team established a partnership in which there was a shared governance structure and methodology that made every attempt to abide by First Nations ethical principles.…”

“…While paying attention to the formation of meaningful partnerships is relatively easy, actually building and maintaining the relationships that create meaningful partnerships requires concerted effort (Kyoon-Achan, Lavoie, et al, 2018). Boffa et al (2011) noted that relationships are necessary at every juncture of the research collaboration including recruiting Indigenous researchers, communicating directly with First Nations Chiefs and Councils, obtaining Indigenous organizational and community support, and bringing together Indigenous stakeholders with government (provincial and federal) program planners to work with university-based researchers.…”