Modifying Photovoice for community-based participatory Indigenous research☆
Introduction
In decades of research on Indigenous peoples, scientists from the academic world ‘parachuted’ into First Nations (Indigenous communities) across Canada, collected data (frequently without consent) and left, often neglecting to report research findings back to communities (Brant Castellano, 2004, Korsmo and Graham, 2002). As a result, scepticism and resentment of academic researchers exists in many Indigenous communities (Smith, 1999). Further, there is expressed frustration with being ‘researched to death’ or research fatigue (National Aboriginal Health Organization, 2005). As a result, scholars have characterized much Indigenous research not as a pure intellectual process, but one embedded with suspicion and anger on the part of the community under study (Smith, 1999). In an attempt to depart from and address ethical concerns stemming from this kind of traditional academic research, Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) has become widely adopted, resulting in research undertaken with Indigenous peoples in Canada (Association of Canadian Universities for Northern Studies, 1998, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, 2007, National Aboriginal Health Organization, 2005). CBPR is both a philosophy and a methodology that includes research participants as equal partners in problem definition, methodological development, data collection and analysis, and the communication of findings (Fisher & Ball, 2003). The work reported here evaluates the use of an emerging CBPR method, Photovoice, with a First Nation on the West Coast of Canada.
Section snippets
Power, trust, and ownership in First Nations
The Indigenous population in Canada experiences social, political, economic, and environmental injustice and inequality (Brulle & Pellow, 2006). They also tend to be segregated, exploited, or persecuted by the dominant society (Battiste & Youngblood, 2000). However, the Indigenous experience is distinct from other groups such as immigrants or people living with disabilities for one very complex reason: colonization, i.e., an historico-political process of colonialism that is inherently embedded
Methods
In April 2005, Huu-ay-aht First Nation hosted a Symposium to discuss their past, present, and future needs for cedar, a sacred resource. Ongoing environmental changes, pending Treaty settlements, and community-based concern over degradation had all combined to elevate local concern over cedar. Based on needs identified by the community at this time, a community–university research partnership evolved. Huu-ay-aht elected and hereditary leaders agreed to embark on a CBPR partnership with a PhD
Results
Participants indicated satisfaction with the Photovoice method. This satisfaction stemmed from the method's success at balancing power, creating a sense of ownership in the research, fostering trust, building capacity, and implementing a culturally appropriate research project in the community.
Discussion
The results of this work suggest Photovoice was an effective method for sharing power, fostering trust, developing a sense of ownership, creating community change and building capacity. Taken together, these findings are congruent with the intended goals of CBPR. The following discussion is organized around implementing Photovoice ‘on the ground’. The research team found that it had to modify the proscribed process to maintain cultural continuity and address inherent limitations with the method.
Conclusions
The research approach in this study is a response to Indigenous peoples' criticism of academia regarding power, trust, and ownership in Indigenous research. The modified Photovoice process provided grounds for the researchers to listen to and discuss community issues, to demonstrate a positive regard for Indigenous perspectives, and to value the participants' knowledge and expertise. Relinquishing power and decision-making control over the study and adopting a flexible and open approach to the
Acknowledgements
The first author wishes to acknowledge the Council of Huu-ay-aht First Nation, the Community Advisory Committee, and the Community Researchers for their active roles in this study. ‘Klecko, klecko’ to the entire membership of Huu-ay-aht First Nation for their welcome into the community and for their support of and partnership in this research. Thanks also to the three anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments towards improving the final manuscript.
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This research was supported by the Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada (Doctoral Fellowship #752-2002-1303), the CIHR-IAPH Alberta ACADRE Network, the Community, Health & Environment (CHE) Research Centre at the University of Alberta, the Province of Alberta, the Aurora Research Institute, the Canadian Circumpolar Institute's Circumpolar/Boreal Alberta Research Grant (DIAND), and the Alberta Chapter of the Canadian Federation of University Women.