Working with a Native American community to characterize (and define) their ‘risk': Risk as a value-based decision based on important cultural practices

Presentation of a case study describing a community-based participatory research project between Oregon State University and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) in Oregon to investigate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposures from consumption of traditionally smoked foods and from the practice of traditional smoking of salmon. PAHs are a group of chemicals generated by incomplete combustion and some are known to be carcinogenic. The CTUIR, like other Native Americans, may be at a higher risk for exposure to PAHs from inhalation of smoke during the smoking of fish and game using traditional practices, and from ingestion of smoked foods. In local tribal communities, smoked fish and game constitute an important proportion of their diet and plays a major role in their culture and development. This presentation describes how tribal members were engaged in exposure assessment activities to determine exposure from the traditional smoking of salmon, findings from the exposure studies, and also includes findings from focus groups that helped to define health and well-being for their community. Also highlighted is a material and data sharing agreement developed with the CTUIR to protect tribal data and sovereignty and reinforce the trusting collaborative relationship that exists between the community and the university. Also addressed is the challenge of discussing exposures and risk from these PAH exposures as a value based decision which includes not only measured PAH exposures, but also the larger socio-cultural context that reflects the community's desire to reduce risk without adversely affect traditional cultural practices.