Ethics in research involving Indigenous people or communities

SSHRC defines Indigenous Research as "Research in any field or discipline that is conducted by, grounded in or engaged with First Nations, Inuit, Métis or other Indigenous nations, communities, societies or individuals, and their wisdom, cultures, experiences or knowledge systems, as expressed in their dynamic forms, past and present. Indigenous research can embrace the intellectual, physical, emotional and/or spiritual dimensions of knowledge in creative and interconnected relationships with people, places and the natural environment.

Whatever the methodologies or perspectives that apply in a given context, researchers who conduct Indigenous research, whether they are Indigenous or non-Indigenous themselves, commit to respectful relationships with all Indigenous peoples and communities.

[...] Research by and with Indigenous peoples and communities emphasizes and values their existing strengths, assets and knowledge systems.

All research involving Indigenous peoples must be undertaken in accordance with the second edition of the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans, and, in particular, Chapter 9: Research Involving the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples of Canada."

Additional definitions of Indigenous Research are provided on the CIHR and NSERC websites.

Summary of TCPS2 Guidelines on Research involving Indigenous people

• Research involving First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples should be premised on collaborative research, respect and mutual learning.
• Community engagement is required in a number of circumstances, including where the research is likely to affect the welfare of an Indigenous community (or communities), or where Indigenous Peoples make up a sizable proportion of the study, and the researcher intends to make Indigenous-specific conclusions.
• Communities may be territorial, organizational, or interest-based.
• It is up to communities to determine the nature and extent of their involvement in research.
• Research agreements, though not always necessary, are a good way to clarify and confirm mutual expectations.
• The guidance in Chapter 9 may apply to research in non-Indigenous communities.

What to consider when planning research that involves Indigenous people or communities

• Think of the nature and extent of community engagement required for your project. If community engagement is required, what is the current status of that process? (TCPS2, Article 9.2)
• Collect required approvals or letters of support from the appropriate Indigenous community, jurisdiction or organization (TCPS2, Article 9.10). Inform the REB if the Indigenous community, jurisdiction or organization you plan to work with require confirmation of Trent REB approval of your study prior to providing their support letters.
• Be aware of the principles of ownership, control, access and possession (OCAP), or any community-based ethical approvals that pertain to your research (TCPS2, Article 9.8).
• Incorporate OCAP or community-based principles and approvals into your research.

Ethics review of research that involves Indigenous people or communities

Trent University established a separate Indigenous ethics review process to ensure that Indigenous research at Trent observes recognized ethical standards for conducting Indigenous research. The standards include the Ethical Guidelines for Research outlined by the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples to represent best practices, the TCPS2 (2022) Chapter 9: Research Involving the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples of Canada, and other emerging codes in Indigenous research.

All minimal‐risk faculty and graduate student research applications involving and/or impacting Indigenous Peoples or communities are delegated to the REB faculty members from the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies (CWSIS). These members serve both the REB ethics review responsibility for the file and the Indigenous ethics review process responsibility. This Indigenous ethics review responsibility/authority is given to these REB members by the Indigenous Education Council (IEC). The IEC includes community leaders from the surrounding First Nations communities and senior University administrators. The IEC is an Indigenous education advisory body at the University. 

Additionally, proposals submitted by students enrolled in the Indigenous Studies Ph.D. Program are concurrently reviewed by the PhD Program Ethics Committee.

Proposals submitted by undergraduate students are delegated for review by the Departmental Ethics Review Committee in the CWSIS.