“All About Us”: Indigenous Data Analysis Workshop—Capacity Building in the Canadian Alliance for Healthy Hearts and Minds First Nations Cohort

Abstract

BackgroundResearch collaborations between non-Indigenous and Indigenous researchers primarily have been led by non-Indigenous researchers with privileged locations in university settings. Recognition of the importance of data sovereignty and control to enable Indigenous self-determination requires building data management and analysis capacities among Indigenous research partners. The Canadian Alliance for Healthy Hearts and Minds First Nations (CAHHM-FN) cohort study, a collaboration of 8 First Nations and researchers at 8 universities, convened a 3-day data management and analysis workshop. MethodsBefore the workshop, participating communities were asked to develop research questions of interest regarding data collected as part of CAHHM-FN and forward them to the coordinating team. An agenda was created, circulated, and modified on the basis of community feedback to plan the workshop. The CAHHM coordinating team, an Indigenous researcher, and a non-Indigenous biostatistician planned the workshop to strike balance among Indigenous protocols for engagement, theory concerning Indigenous approaches to statistical analysis, and applied data analysis training. ResultsFifty participants and coordinating team members convened for the 3-day workshop (22 Indigenous and 28 non-Indigenous people from communities, professors, trainees, and staff). Topics included statistical literacy, hands-on data analysis, data security, and topics in Indigenous health research. Workshop evaluations indicated a high level of satisfaction and enthusiasm to hold similar future workshops. ConclusionsThe Indigenous data workshop was designed to increase capacity for data management and analysis by Indigenous community partners and develop new capacity for non-Indigenous partners and trainees. It achieved this, with enthusiasm from Indigenous community members to conduct future workshops.