Culturally Grounded and Land-Based Research with Indigenous Communities

Interventions developed for the majority population in the U.S. often fall short of success with Indigenous populations due to their lack of applicability and cultural appropriateness. This may occur as a result of historical trauma, discrimination, colonization, and microaggressions which can lead to distrust of western methods and lack of relevance to the lives of Indigenous people. Furthermore, efforts to make mainstream interventions more culturally competent or culturally tailored also may fall short due to their inattention to deep cultural and ancestral practices and values prominent in Indigenous communities. In response, researchers using community-based, participatory and indigenous epistemologies and methods are increasingly developing interventions that are grounded in ancestral practices and values to promote health and wellbeing. The interdependence of indigenous people and their environment, e.g., land, water, plants, animals, as well as the recognition of the importance of addressing mind, body, and spirit in interventions are themes that are often represented. Interventions often aim at strengthening cultural identity and link participants to their past, present, and future, while also addressing historical and contemporary trauma and other concerns as a result of settler colonialism.

This workshop is presented in conjunction with leaders of the American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and Global Indigenous (Indigenous) Cluster and the AASWSW Close the Health Gap Grand Challenge by members of the Indigenous Wellness Research Institute at the University of Washington. The purpose of this workshop is to promote and develop skills for conducting culturally-grounded and land-based research with Indigenous communities in the U.S. The workshop will address three objectives: (1) to define culturally-grounded and land-based research; (2) to present examples of this research with U.S. Indigenous populations, including American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) and Native Hawaiian communities; (3) and to facilitate a discussion on the successes and challenges experienced by participants and to develop possible solutions to these challenges. Special attention will be given to ethical issues in working with tribal and Indigenous communities, as well as implications for social work practice, education, and research. This workshop will be tailored to both early career as well as senior scholars conducting research in Indigenous communities.