Grant: Project Grant

Research can be harmful to some but is often necessary to address needs. Indigenous Peoples while strong and able, nevertheless experience discrimination and are at risk for experiencing harm by participating in research, despite recent guidelines supporting ethical conduct. In particular, Indigenous Peoples who are gender and sexually diverse may be especially at risk of harm by research due to experiences of homophobia, transphobia, racism, and intergenerational trauma. When used together with a culturally safe approach, trauma and violence-informed care (TVIC) can help to address the risk for trauma and harm in research that is caused by systemic violence, structural inequities, and historical and current trauma and violence. Researchers educated in TVIC approaches to research can better recognize and support people impacted by trauma and violence, to ensure their safety while participating in research, and further support their leadership, agency, and wellness. This community-engaged project aims to: 1) understand the experiences and needs of Indigenous and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people and their participation in research; 2) develop a training resource for researchers to equip them to design and conduct TVIC research; 3) pilot and evaluate the resource for its effectiveness; and 4) disseminate the resource to researchers and trainees across Ontario, promoting safe and positive research interactions with Indigenous people and reducing potential for harm. Indigenous research methodologies and the Two-Eyed Seeing framework will be used to co-develop studies with the research team and an Indigenous content committee, built of Elders, Knowledge Holders/Keepers and community members. The project will include innovative strategies to engage Indigenous community members and researchers in the project, and encourage uptake and sustainability of the training resource.