Module 1: Ethical and Legal Considerations
Métis Governance Practices
Principles of ethical Métis research
Here, we discuss Métis-specific culturally competent ethical research principles that are adhered to by the Métis Centre at the National Aboriginal Health Organization in its research. These principles are not rigid rules, but a starting point for ethical research with Métis communities.
The National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) identifies six principles of ethical Métis research:
- Reciprocal Relationships
- “Respect for”
- Safe and Inclusive Environments
- Recognize Diversity
- “Research Should”
- Métis Context
Learner notes
The following Métis-specific culturally competent ethical research principles are adhered to by the Métis Centre at the National Aboriginal Health Organization in its research, who note for outside groups who choose to use or adapt them that, “The principles are not intended to be enforceable rules that must be followed but rather are a well thought out starting point to engage Métis communities in ethical research.” (Métis Centre of NAHO, 2018)
They are not trademarked like the OCAP®.
Source and recommended reading: National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) (2018). Principles of Ethical Métis Research [PDF]. Quotes in the below section come from this document.
Also see Indigenous Data Sovereignty | Research at UCalgary | University of Calgary
Reciprocal Relationships
Researchers should build equal partnerships with the Métis community, engage with community members, and ensure that responsibilities and benefits are shared.
“Building these relationships involves three parts: engaging the community by going among the people and becoming known, earning acceptance through this process, and then getting community involvement once the trusting relationship is established.”
—Cited from Principles of Ethical Métis Research [PDF] | Métis Centre at NAHO (achh.ca)
“Respect for”
Respect should be shown for individual and collective perspectives, community practices and protocols, confidentiality, autonomy, identity, and gender diversity.
“[R]espect is for ‘both’ the individual and the collective. This is one thing that makes doing research in Métis communities unique and is consistent with the view that Métis live with a foot in two worlds, an Aboriginal one and a Western one. For example, given a particular situation, a Métis community may choose to want individual consent, collective consent, or both.”
Safe and Inclusive Environments
Research must be inclusive of various age groups, genders, sexual identities, and diverse concepts of Indigeneity, and should maintain inclusivity throughout the research process.
“By this it is meant that research should, when appropriate, be inclusive to youth and elders, all genders and sexual identities, find the correct balance of individual and collective influence, and be inclusive of a variety of concepts of [Indigeneity].”
Diversity
Researchers should recognize and account fo