1. image
AIDS 2006 "Time to Deliver"
Aboriginal Perspectives on Knowledge Translation in Community-based HIV/AIDS Research
Renee Masching, Yvon Allard, Tracey Prentice, Randy Jackson, Judy Mill, Kevin Barlow
Hello, Bonjour, Ola!
Thank you for the opportunity to share some thoughts with you today and hopefully begin a dialogue that will continue after this gathering. I would like to acknowledge my co-authors for this presentation, many of whom are in the room today.
I work with the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network, referred to as CAAN, a national, not-for-profit membership driven organization established in We represents over 200 member organizations and individuals and one of our primary roles is to provide relevant, accurate and up-to-date HIV/AIDS information.

2. Researching Ourselves to Life
image
AIDS 2006 "Time to Deliver"
Researching Ourselves to Life
Negative history with research carried out ON Aboriginal Peoples FOR others
Reclaiming traditional methods of learning and developing new relationship with research
Principles of Community-based Research (CBR) are consistent with Aboriginal needs
Historically research has had negative implications for Aboriginal Peoples in Canada. What we now refer to as `traditional` academic approaches inappropriately privileges mainstream forms of knowledge over Indigenous forms of knowledge.
Research findings have been inaccurately interpreted and misrepresented Indigenous realities, research was regularly used to justify colonial policies and stifle the Indigenous voice, and often did not contribute to improving the health or living conditions of Aboriginal Peoples. In more recent times, more and more Aboriginal People have begun to reinvigorate our own methods for learning about the world and also learn about Western research processes. We have a rich history of collecting information, analyzing and tracking data and making informed decisions about health and community well-being overall.
In 2005, only 8 years after our incorporation CAAN established a Research Unit in response to our growing involvement in research and specifically in Community-based HIV/AIDS research involving Aboriginal Peoples in Canada. We have a strong belief that learning more about ourselves and our realities is an important element in an effective response to guiding action in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Canada. The inclusion of Knowledge Translation (KT) in all CAAN research activities is a strategic priority to optimize culturally relevant community-based research related to Aboriginal Peoples and HIV/AIDS.

3. image
AIDS 2006 "Time to Deliver"
OCAP
Principles of OCAP direct ethical engagement & Principles of Research Collaboration direct partnerships.
Ownership
Control
Access
Possession
Defining a Culturally Relevant approach to Research - OCAP articulates and assists in the implementation of an Aboriginal perspective on research. Ownership, control, access, and possession (OCAP) is a political term developed by Aboriginal Peoples to demonstrate our right to self-determination in research, including HIV/AIDS related projects.
As Aboriginal communities and organizations increase our capacity to conduct our own research these principles have and will become increasingly influential. OCAP indicates that Aboriginal people have relinquished the notion of "being researched," and have taken up the call to become active participants in the research process.
Briefly;
Ownership means that Aboriginal people will have authority over the research process as well as the products of research. Ownership implies research that is conceptually and practically defined according to cultural values and contexts of Aboriginal communities.
Control means that Aboriginal people are in charge of the process. This means that Aboriginal communities and organizations, through developing and enhancing their capacity, are responsible for and engaged in decisions at every stage of the research process.
Access means that Aboriginal people know their community best, and have the RIGHT to access and use information arising from community research. Access means that the research findings will be shared and used by the community where the research is done, to help improve programming and policy in the research area.
Possession means that Aboriginal people have the right to self-determination and this includes the right to possess the findings of research.
Principles of OCAP must be respected as Aboriginal people are increasingly engaging in HIV/AIDS research to directly address the social, economic and behavioural factors which disproportionately affect Aboriginal Peoples and greatly increase the risk of HIV infection.

4. What is Knowledge Translation?
image
AIDS 2006 "Time to Deliver"
What is Knowledge Translation?
“…the exchange, synthesis and ethically-sound application of knowledge – within a complex system of interactions among researchers and users – to accelerate the capture of benefits of research for Canadians through improved health, more effective services and products, and a strengthened health care system.”
(CIHR, Knowledge translation strategy, 2004)
Taken from the CIHR`s Knowledge translation strategy the following definition is widely held;
the exchange, synthesis and ethically-sound application of knowledge – within a complex system of interactions among researchers and users – to accelerate the capture of benefits of research for Canadians through improved health, more effective services and products, and a strengthened health care system.”
In addition, CAAN’s understanding of KT builds upon the CIHR definition;
KT is multi-directional, flowing back and forth among the different players who are involved
Research knowledge must be translated in a manner that is meaningful and useful to the community
Stories, songs and other artistic forms of expression provide mechanisms for relaying information in Aboriginal communities

5. Knowledge Translation (KT)
image
AIDS 2006 "Time to Deliver"
Knowledge Translation (KT)
The World Health Organization WHO in 2005 held an international conference on KT and adapted the CIHR definition of KT. ‘Bulletin of the WHO’: August 2006; 84 (8).
Indigenous researchers worldwide want to incorporate Indigenous Knowledge in KT, thus the International Network of Indigenous Health Knowledge and Development INIHKD has adopted the CIHR definition of KT for Indigenous research projects.
It is of note that the CIHR definition is respected and used by Indigenous Peoples around the globe.
World Health Organization WHO. Bridging the “Know-Do” gap meeting on knowledge translation in global health October Geneva: WHO; Available from:
INIHKD International Network of Indigenous Health Knowledge and Development. INIHKD Conference involving international Indigenous researchers, October 2005, Vancouver, Canada.

6. Knowledge Translation (KT)
image
AIDS 2006 "Time to Deliver"
Knowledge Translation (KT)
KT generates an opportunity to incorporate Indigenous Knowledge and Western scientific systems within one project.
KT challenges and supports researchers to be creative
KT occurs THROUGHOUT the research process
Knowledge translation is an increasing focus of research at CAAN for several reasons.
«Review bullets»
The fear and stigma related to research are broken down by Knowledge Translation and this is a key tool for building capacity, creating interest and developing safety for community members interested in investigating HIV/AIDS and related issues.

7. Aboriginal Perspectives on KT
image
AIDS 2006 "Time to Deliver"
Aboriginal Perspectives on KT
Ensuring research makes a change
Demonstrating the outcomes of research
Sharing information in community “friendly” formats including stories, songs and other artistic formats
Preparing for and involving the whole community
Overcoming communication barriers

8. KT Strategies with Aboriginal Peoples
image
AIDS 2006 "Time to Deliver"
KT Strategies with Aboriginal Peoples
Begin at the grassroots and learn together!
Meeting with community stakeholders
Participating in Community events to learn about each other i.e. ceremonies with Aboriginal Peoples and Lectures or Academic events with Academic research partners
Reviewing the hoped for and actual impact of the research process in the community
Capacity building in integral to KT and happens in so many ways and in reciprocal ….

9. image
AIDS 2006 "Time to Deliver"
Lessons Learned
KT has the greatest chance of success IF Aboriginal stakeholders are involved in:
Planning the research project from the proposal development phase
Conducting the research and reviewing the process as the project unfolds
Disseminating findings
Involvement implies – Aboriginal community identified themes and priorities, targets that create change at a number of levels, being available for consultation and input, confirmation/negation of findings, recruitment and having an outcomes focus
Involvement requires – willingness to share power and decision making (which is challenging), patience
Required being respectful of social and economic situations ie. paying honourariums/travel in cash and learning the hard way (being open to this)
Examples of CAAN based on our experiences:
Audiovisual, multimedia, and graphic materials in English, French, and at the local level, in appropriate Aboriginal languages;
Provide concise plain language English and French reports;
Prepare summaries and briefing materials;
Develop manuals/resources for community use;
Provide conference and workshop presentations about research processes and findings;
Prepare articles of CAAN Newsletter;
Develop an Aboriginal Community-based HIV/AIDS peer-reviewed research journal; and
Conduct research results dissemination workshops.

10. CAAN experiences Innovative and successful projects have required;
image
AIDS 2006 "Time to Deliver"
CAAN experiences
Innovative and successful projects have required;
Flexible timelines
Collaboration with other organizations
full time staff
Financial resources to support participation
KT is a long term endeavor!
Content from Tracey’s slide:
Cultural capacity-building opportunities were available for non-Aboriginal researchers (workshops, talking circles, smudging, opening and closing prayers, etc.)
Preliminary findings were shared in an Aboriginal community consultation workshop to improve dissemination and knowledge translation.
Meaningful engagement of community in research requires significant planning in advance.
Direct community involvement throughout the project and at multiple levels leads to deeper investment in the results and greater capacity to take action.
Working in-person (face-to-face meetings), with the support of Elders, is instrumental to success.
Community involvement = both support and action, contributions in planning, contributions in implementation, being in touch fairly regularly, being available for consultation and input, confirmation/negation of findings, help in recruitment, contributions in dissemination planning, help in dissemination
Meaningful involvement requires:
willingness to share power and decision making (which is challenging),
patience,
open-mind/spirit
willingness to sometimes make the inconvenient choice (not always cheap, not always as you had envisioned/planned)
being respectful of differing social and economic situations i.e. paying honourariums/travel in cash
being open to sometimes learning the hard way

11. image
AIDS 2006 "Time to Deliver"
Recommendations
KT MUST be integrated in all research project designs engaging Aboriginal Peoples
It is a priority for research findings to be taken up from the grassroots level through to high levels of government in policy, services and practice.
Effective KT strategies respond to community needs
Learning community norms enhance successful Knowledge Translation
KT activities are crucial for advancements in decreasing the burden of illness among Aboriginal Peoples.
It is imperative that knowledge translation focus beyond simple transfer of results
CAAN is leading by example in HIV/AIDS research and Knowledge Translation strategies

12. Acknowledgments Co-Authors NRAC NAHO CIHR
image
AIDS 2006 "Time to Deliver"
Acknowledgments
Co-Authors
NRAC
NAHO
CIHR
Contact Information