Partnering with American Indian communities in strength-based collaborative health research: Guiding principles from the Fort Peck Ceremony of Research Project

Abstract

The Ceremony of Research Project was implemented to strengthen tribal communities' ability to harmonize Western research processes with Indigenous ways of knowing. Focus groups were conducted with tribal members to understand Indigenous processes, beliefs, and practices necessary to promote positive research experiences with tribal communities. Findings address time; relationship building and maintenance; inclusion of diverse tribal members in the research design, as well as American Indian epistemology; respect for tribal values, beliefs, and customs throughout the research process; and the reciprocity of research. Our study has important implications for how researchers can take a strengthbased approach to conducting research with tribal communities.