U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development EPA STAR Tribal Research: Community-engaged Research Integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Western Science Introduction Environmental health disparities disproportionately affect over 5 million Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Alaska Natives in the U.S. Many of these disparities stem from historic environmental health issues. Legacy and emerging challenges demand collaborative and sustained research and efforts that respect the culture and knowledge of the affected communities. These communities have also accumulated invaluable knowledge of their natural environments over decades and centuries that place them in unique positions to identify, characterize and in a sense act as global sentinels of complex environmental changes such as pollution, global climate change, loss of biodiversity and sensitive species, and water contamination. The EPA recognizes the critical importance that the environment plays in the lives of these indigenous communities. Through funding from the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Center of Environmental Research (NCER) Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Program has focused on addressing tribal environmental health risks through community-based participatory research, releasing 4 solicitations and supporting 16 projects since These research projects have focused on key concerns to AIAN communities including climate change,impacts of pollution on subsistence fishing and hunting, and water pollution and contamination. This poster highlights several case studies that exemplify the importance of community-engaged research, capacity building and cultural relevance, that are underlined by tribal ecological knowledge. These projects have yielded data, tools, products, methods and knowledge that have enabled tribal communities to better define and reduce the health risks, protect natural resources, and encourage the ecological knowledge and tribal practices of protecting and preserving the earth for future generations. Why is community-engaged research important? When working with AIAN people, community-engaged research approaches enable research partners to nurture trust, address environmental health concerns that impact the lives of tribal communities, and identify culturally acceptable and relevant health outcomes and interventions. Critical components for successful engagement and participation of tribal partners and stakeholders include: building relationships, early involvement in the research design participation in all aspects of the research process mutual understanding and respect, clearly described power structures, and open communication. Linking Traditional Knowledge and Environmental Policy in the Cherokee Nation Of Oklahoma (EPA Grant Number: F5C30541; Investigators: Carroll, Clinton R. Institution: University of California – Berkeley). This project was designed to study Cherokee traditional ecological knowledge and practices in northeastern Oklahoma with the goal of developing culturally- based decision-making frameworks pertaining to tribally-controlled environmental policy. University of Illinois & Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium In partnership with three Alaska communities (Akutan, Point Hope, and Seldovia), these partners explored the role of traditional ecological knowledge and integrated risk assessment of climate change impacts on a critical Alaskan subsistence resource, wild berries. Participatory research with community members (youth & elders) focused on the bioactive health properties of wild berries and their role in local knowledge and community practice. Outcomes: Demonstrated potent efficacy against Type II diabetes and obesity, as well as significant antimicrobial activity. Recognized climate change as an important risk factor to the availability of this resource. Showed the key role of traditional foods (berries) in community wellness and nutrition Integrated research findings into community wellness planning (ANTHC, New England (UNE), Montana State University (MSU), the Crow Tribe and Little Big Horn College This collaborative project is aimed at developing risk assessment methodology for multimedia exposure to contaminants in water (private wells; surface waters) and wastewater on the Crow Reservation. Efforts include monitoring water resources on the Reservation, identifying of chemical and microbial contaminants (E. Coli, Cryptosporidium), elucidating subsistence lifestyles and cultural practices of Crow Reservation communities, engaging and training the local Tribal College students in conducting field work and community surveys, risk assessment and effective management approaches. Ultimately, the collaborative has raised and leveraged funds to improve water and wastewater treatment infrastructure and provided a common cause around which the Crow community has rallied to ensure their health and wellbeing. They also contributed to a 2013 EPA blog on the importance of water to the Crow – neighbors/ neighbors/ TEK in STAR Tribal Research (1): Completed projects TEK in STAR Tribal Research (2): New projects Conclusion EPA, through its STAR program has funded community-engaged research that has identified and characterized contaminated sites and pollution sources, the burden of toxics, heavy metals and cumulative contaminants on community health and in traditional and subsistence foods; enhanced understanding of climate change impacts on tribal health and natural resources, and elucidated the dire water quality issues impacting communities. Research conducted by or in partnership with AI/AN communities has relied on a wide variety of approaches that recognize and respect the cultural and spiritual aspects of tribal life, and that values traditional knowledge. These grants demonstrate how full engagement and participation of tribal community leaders and members in the research process lead to increased capacity building that benefits the community well beyond the project term. Impacts include strengthening of community self-determination, building of social networks that sustain resilience, encouraging youth engagement and interest in STEM and community issues, and ensuring a more holistic approach to environmental problem solving, decision making and increased tribal sustainability and wellbeing. Cynthia McOliver l PHOOPHOTO From Home to School: Tribal Indoor Air Quality Intervention Study (EPA Grant Number: R835596; Principal Investigators: Shaughnessy, Richard J, Khan, Sohail Institutions: University of Tulsa, Cherokee Nation Environmental Program and Health Services, Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals, Navajo Nation - EPA and Dept. of Diné Education, Numiipu Health, University of Oklahoma): By improving indoor air quality (IAQ) and reducing environmental asthma triggers this study intends to reduce asthma symptoms related to tribal home-&- school childhood exposures. The study will demonstrate the importance of a total exposure approach based on traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). TEK from 3 tribes in different regions/climates will refine education, source control of allergens by targeted cleaning and other asthma trigger removal activities, ventilation and air cleaning interventions that reduce asthma triggers. The interventions are based on developing a deeper understanding and respect for the living and non-living interactions in and between school and home environments that is the hallmark of TEK. The attention to both school and home environments will embody a more complete profile of total exposure of the tribal children throughout the day. PHOTO Water, Our Voice to the Future: Climate change adaptation and waterborne disease prevention on the Crow Reservation (EPA Grant Number: R835594; Principal Investigators: Doyle, John, Camper, Anne; Eggers, Mari, Institution: Little Big Horn College, Montana State University): This project will 1) integrate traditional ecological and community knowledge, scientific data and climate models to produce a cohesive document which describes existing and projected local climate, hydrologic and microbial water quality changes and their impacts on resources, Crow traditions, ecosystems and community health; 2) Improve community adaptation to climate change and reduce climate change related health risks by increasing community understanding of current and projected climate change impacts, reducing associated waterborne disease risks, identifying and implementing other key adaptation measures and investing in community capacity building and 3) Disseminate project results locally, regionally and nationally, through appropriate community venues, peer-reviewed publications and conferences, including the National Tribal Science Forum. Takeaway messages Integrate culturally relevant scientific approaches Western and tribal science, especially TEK, should be and can be successfully integrated to address complex environmental issues, modify health behaviors, and inform decision making. Respect, Acknowledge and Value local culture Investigators and collaborators should partner with local tribal nations to generate culturally relevant real-world tools and approaches for solving and mitigating complex environmental health problems. Commit and Persevere Together Most positive outcomes are seen when government/ academic-community partnerships entail many years of collaboration. It takes time and focused efforts to develop and maintain trusting relationships. Inform, Educate, Train and Empower Community Members Investing in and seeking out the community’s knowledge and beliefs can only strengthen the sustainability of research, other collaborative projects and future efforts. These endeavors are critical steps needed to build trust and promote environmental health literacy, community ownership and empowerment. These steps and activities are critical in engaging and retaining tribal community and leadership support and participation in research endeavors.