Community Empowerment in the Research Endeavor: Research Examples and Research Process

Native people have had a variety of experiences with research, some of which have been harmful and have hindered the trust of Native communities in the research process. Despite advances that can be made through health research, some Native communites are very reluctant to engage in research with outsiders. In part as a result of this history, it has become necessary to work with Native communites to integrate their perspectives and values into the research process. It has also become more common to engage communities as partners in research. This presentation will highlight the value of research for diverse communities, drawing from work with Native communities, while considering the bioethics of science when participants have historically experienced uneven power relations in scientific research. Specifically, the session will explore ways that Native communities can take ownership of the scientific endeavor and work with scientists from both their own communities as well as from the Academy and other sources to ensure that the science benefits the community. Examples of research that have greatly benefited Native and other communities will be presented. The talk will also explore the adoption of a strength-based approach when pursuing science in Native communites to ensure that the wealth of knowledge in Native communities is integrated into the research.