Health research involving First Nations, Inuit and Métis children and their communities

Question 1

What is the definition of Aboriginal?

Answer 1

persons of Indian, Inuit or Métis descent regardless of where they reside and whether or not their names appear on an official register

Question 2

How is the term “Indian” used in Canada?

Answer 2

Historically to describe members of a variety of First Nations groups

Question 3

How is the term “Indigenous” used internationally?

Answer 3

to describe descendants of the original inhabitants of a geographical region, and some researchers consider it the most inclusive descriptor of all Canada’s First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples

Question 4

What are some measures of health in which Aboriginal children do more poorly?

Answer 4

1. Infant mortality
2. Early childhood development
3. Acute health care needs
4. Chronic medical conditions
5. Mental health
6. Substance abuse
7. Suicide

Question 5

What additional social determinants of health are unique to Aboriginal young people?

Answer 5

1. Kinship
2. Support networks
3. Racism
4. Loss of traditional language, land, and social identity

Question 6

What guidelines govern Canadian health research?

Answer 6

1. Tri-council policy statement (TCPS)
2. Principle of “respect for persons”
3. Principle of “autonomy”
4. Principle of “participant welfare”
5. Principle of “distributive justice”

Question 7

What are the OCAP principles for self-determination in research involving First Nations?

Answer 7

1. Ownership
2. Control
3. Access
4. Possession

Question 8

What is CBPR?

Answer 8

Community-based participatory research

Question 9

What are the recommendations regarding health research involving Aboriginals?

Answer 9

1. Aboriginal children and youth must have the same right of access to the benefits of health research as other Canadians.
2. A CBPR approach to research should be the first, preferred option for all research involving Aboriginal peoples and communities, especially when social determinants of health are at issue.
3. It is the ethical responsibility of researchers to ensure knowledge of or otherwise inform Aboriginal peoples and communities concerning research principles defined in the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical conduct for research involving humans
4. Participants should be fully aware of their options for collaboration and input at all stages of the CBPR process.
5. Gathering, restoring and exploring knowledge gained from research must occur through community partnerships, and the use of such knowledge must build on community strengths. Open dialogue and capacity building that respects differences and explores similarities across ethical, procedural and cultural boundaries are required.
6. To reduce the serious health disparities faced by First Nations, Inuit and Métis children and youth in Canada, governments at every level must prioritize funding for CBPR projects and programs.