Negotiation, Reciprocity, and Reality: The Experience of Collaboration in a Community-Based Primary Health Care (CBPHC) Program of Research with Eight Manitoba First Nations

• Published in: International Indigenous Policy Journal
• Main Authors: Phillips-Beck, Wanda, Kyoon-Achan, Grace, Lavoie, Josée G., Krueger, Nicholas, Kinew, Kathi Avery, Sinclair, Stephanie, Ibrahim, Naser, Katz, Alan
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Western University 2019
• Subjects: research; First Nations; Indigenous research; collaboration; participatory research; research partnerships
• Online Access: https://ojs.lib.uwo.ca/index.php/iipj/article/view/8334

This article shares experiences and lessons learned through a collaboration between the University of Manitoba, the First Nation Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba (FNHSSM), and eight First Nation communities in Manitoba. We employed a participatory approach from planning the research project, to data collection, and to the analysis, interpretation, and implementation of results. We learned that successful collaborations require: a) investing time and resources into developing respectful research relationships; b) strong leadership and governance; c) clearly defined roles and responsibilities; d) meaningful participation of First Nations; e) multiple opportunities for community engagement; and f) commitment to multiple, ongoing, and consistent forms of communication. All factors are integral to creating and maintaining the integrity of the research collaboration.