A partnership to build research capacity on the rez

Background: The Little Priest Tribal College (LPTC) and the College of Public Health at University of Nebraska Medical Center (CoPH-UNMC) partnered to develop a 3-credit hour course, “Indigenous Research Methods.” The course was built on the following five values: a) indigenous knowledge is valued; b) research is culturally defined and is not neutral; c) responsible stewardship includes knowing how to understand and interpret data and research; d) tribes shall exercise sovereignty when conducting research; and e) research must be of benefit to the people. Integral to the process was the integration of the Winnebago culture and history.

Objectives: The objectives were to increase: LPTC students' understanding of research methods, awareness of urban and tribal health issues affecting American Indian communities, and create a pipeline programs to increase the diversity of the health related workforce by expanding health career options for tribal college students.

Methods: The course was co-lead by an LPTC and a COPH-UNMC instructor with guest lectures by CoPH-UNMC faculty using distance education and on-site presentations. The project was based on community engagement principles of building trust, open and authentic communication, equity and social justice.

Results / Conclusion: Eight out of ten students completed the course that was well received by both institutions. This mode information transfer and pedagogical exchange between minority serving institutions and an academic health center, geared toward enhancement of undergraduate curriculum can be replicated in other contexts.