Abstract
Knowledge Translation (KT), a core priority in Canadian health research, policy, and practice for the past decade, has a long and rich tradition within Indigenous communities. In Indigenous knowledge systems the processes of "knowing" and "doing" are often intertwined and indistinguishable. However, dominant KT models in health science do not typically recognize Indigenous knowledge conceptualizations, sharing systems, or protocols and will likely fall short in Indigenous contexts. There is a need to move towards KT theory and practice that embraces diverse understandings of knowledge and that recognizes, respects, and builds on pre-existing knowledge systems. This will not only result in better processes and outcomes for Indigenous communities, it will also provide rich learning for mainstream KT scholarship and practice. As professionals deeply engaged in KT work, health librarians are uniquely positioned to support the development and implementation of Indigenous KT. This article provides information that will enhance the ability of readers from diverse backgrounds to promote and support Indigenous KT efforts, including an introduction to Indigenous knowledge conceptualizations and knowledge systems; key contextual issues to consider in planning, implementing, or evaluating KT in Indigenous settings; and contemporary examples of Indigenous KT in action. The authors pose critical reflection questions throughout the article that encourage readers to connect the content with their own practices and underlying knowledge assumptions.
Highlights
The emergence of Knowledge Translation (KT) as a health research, policy, and practice priority in Canada is strongly linked to the creation and initial mandate of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) in 2000
This initial aim of the CIHR was to excel in the creation of new knowledge and to ensure that this knowledge was ‘‘translated’’ from the research setting into ‘‘real-world applications to improve the health of Canadians, provide more effective health services and products, and strengthen the health care system’’ [1, 2]
The CIHR originally defined KT as ‘‘the exchange, synthesis and ethically sound application of knowledge*within a complex system of interactions among researchers and users*to accelerate the capture of the benefits of research for Canadians through improved health, more effective services and products, and a strengthened health care system’’ [2]
Summary
The emergence of Knowledge Translation (KT) as a health research, policy, and practice priority in Canada is strongly linked to the creation and initial mandate of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) in 2000. This contrasts with euro-western concepts of self and individual rights and freedoms [14] With these considerations in mind, KT in Indigenous contexts could be understood as ‘‘Indigenously led sharing of culturally relevant and useful health information, and practices to improve Indigenous health status, policy, services, and programs’’ [15] or more as ‘‘Sharing what we know about living a good life’’ [15]. Most health science KT efforts have been modelled on the one-way transfer of academic health knowledge into Indigenous communities, often with little consideration of pre-existing Indigenous knowledge systems This external imposition of one knowledge system onto another, often done with good intentions, is almost always ineffective, especially when there are key theoretical and practical tensions. In the words of one guest ‘‘this evening. . .made abundantly clear the continuity of this lively culture and the warm, openhearted nature of those Metis well-grounded in and proudly contributing to the vitality of the culture today’’
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