Implementing the Tri-Council Policy on Ethical Research Involving Indigenous Peoples in Canada: So, How’s That Going in Mi’kma’ki?

• Published in: International Indigenous Policy Journal
• Main Authors: Moore, Carla, Castleden, Heather E, Tirone, Susan, Martin, Debbie
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Western University 2017
• Subjects: Canada; First Nations; inuit; Mi’kmaw
• Online Access: https://ojs.lib.uwo.ca/index.php/iipj/article/view/7514

The 2010 edition of the Tri-Council Policy Statement on Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans introduced a new chapter, titled "Research Involving the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples of Canada." The goal of our study was to explore how this chapter is being implemented in research involving Mi’kmaw communities in Nova Scotia. Qualitative data from four groups—health researchers, research ethics board representatives, financial services administrators, and Mi’kmaw community health directors—revealed that while the chapter is useful in navigating this ethical space, there is room for improvement. The challenges they encountered were not insurmountable; with political will from the academy and with guidance from Indigenous community health and research leaders solutions to these barriers can be achieved.