Conducting research in Tribal casinos to inform policy change for safer and healthier work environments

Tribally-owned casinos represent a vital source of revenue for American Indian tribes. Because they are sovereign nations, tribes are not bound by state laws, including California's 1998 Smokefree Workplace. Patrons and staff in tribally-owned casinos are therefore at risk for exposure to secondhand smoke. The presentation will highlight the opportunities and challenges of working in a collaborative approach with tribal casino management and tribal councils that has led to many tobacco control policy successes including the first urban tribal casino to go 100% smoke free in California. The collaborative model combined a process of relationship building, participatory research, technical assistance to casino management, and work with local community based organizations. The guiding principles for the model have been respecting sovereignty and working in partnership with casino management and tribal leadership. The panel will include two scientists who will present the participatory research methodology used for the studies conducted (ethnographic observation; air particulate monitoring; tobacco policy review; and tribal member, patron and employee surveys) as well as negotiating data ownership and its use with casino management and tribal leadership.  The other two panelists, the lead public health professional on the project and the manager of the tribal casino that adopted a 100% indoor smoke-free policy, will present the case study of how success happened and how it can be replicated. The panel will close with a discussion of the ethics of conducting research and public health policy work in Indian Country in order to achieve effective and lasting public health advances.