usic understanding the strengths of indigenous communities dudley morgan teslin research supervisor...
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USIC
Understanding the Strengths of Indigenous Communities
Dudley Morgan Teslin Research Supervisor
Marian Sheldon Teslin Tlingit FN Researcher
Cynthia Chataway USIC Research Director
“The survival of one community can be celebrated by another. The spiritual, creative and political resources that Indigenous people can draw on from each other provide alternatives for each other […] To be able to share, to have something worth sharing gives dignity to the giver. To accept a gift and to reciprocate gives dignity to the receiver.To create something new through that process of sharing is to recreate the old, to reconnect relationships and to recreate our humanness.”
- L. Tuhiwai Smith
Central Characteristics of the USIC Project
Indigenous Knowledge and Thought Approach
Understanding communities as systems; an interconnected web of factors
Focus on strengths not weakness Following processes to strength
Focusing on Strengths
In 1999, a primarily-Indigenous Committee from across Canada raised two questions:
What are the characteristics of relatively strong Indigenous communities, from local perspectives?
How have these strengths been developed and maintained in interaction with each other over time?
Selecting Some Strong Communities
Indigenous people nominated “strong” communities
Shortlist and select 8 communities 52 communities identified by 31 nominees Regional diversity - north-south; urban-rural Cultural diversity Very different strengths/reputations
7-8 communities
Project Oversight Committee
Community Research
Teams
York and Trent
(University Partners)
Community Oversight Teams
Local University Support Committees
Project Oversight Committee
Meets 1-2 times/year 17 people (14 Native) Different Sectors
Government Economic Development Academia Civil Society/Health
Primary Methods
Focus groups: Maps (relationships between strengths), and Timelines
Case Studies: 5 of the most significant positive initiatives in community history
Survey: interaction between governance, economic, social, health, cultural and spiritual elements
Video, website
Sneak Preview…
Teslin Tlingit First Nation
2 hours east of Whitehorse, Yukon 400 on-reserve, 400 off-reserve Self-governing using clan system Land claim agreement
Wall of Strength
Teslin TlingitFirst NationCommunity
Wall of Strength
Teslin TlingitFirst NationCommunity
Teslin Tlingit First Nation Project
Value of USIC survey for the Teslin Tlingit First Nation
Provides a broad community assessment (‘report card’ that can be replicated at later times)
Concrete answers to questions we have had regarding strategic planning
Allows us to incorporate traditional knowledge into program priorities
Involves broad community participation in planning initiatives
Value of USIC focus groups for the Teslin Tlingit First Nation
Citizens teach each other and build clarity through on-going discussions
Creates a community product that integrates ideas from a cross-section of community members
Builds hope and excitement Provides research training and
experience to community members
Focus Group B Visual Cluster of Strengths
Teslin Tlingit First Nation Project
Focus Group E Visual Cluster of Strengths
Teslin Tlingit First Nation Project
Working Toward a Healthy Lifestyle
Teslin Tlingit First Nation Project
Teslin Tlingit First Nation Project
Teslin Tlingit First Nation Project
Teslin Tlingit First Nation Project
Teslin Tlingit First Nation Project
Teslin Tlingit First Nation Project
Teslin Tlingit First Nation Project
Timeline of Historical Events
Teslin Tlingit First Nation Project
Case Studies in Process
Development and operation of saw mill (or regrowth of berry harvest)
Healing Centre development Hunting ceremony maintains
spirituality Self-government including clan system Employment for Empowerment training
program
Venues for Findings and Policy Recommendations
a video series Reports/presentations to funders academic articles, one or more books articles in newspapers and mailings symposia for policy makers and
academics workshops for Aboriginal leadership
Policy Relevance
Shifting public perceptions of Aboriginal communities; from problems to success
Economic development Health and wellness Human and social capital Governance Practical approaches to comprehensive and
sustainable dev’t and its institutions
Research Challenges
Building research capacity from nothing Maintaining momentum in the face of
regular crises Time/travel needed for internal consultation,
relationship-building Cynicism, resignation Internal power struggles, resentments Violence Top-down leadership practices and norms Distrust, fear
Current USIC Solutions
Within communities Research supervisors, Community Oversight Teams,
USIC active in community events, university support groups, discussions of readings for broader context, research training
Between communities in the project Conference calls and face-to-face meetings (shared
decision-making), leadership training, Regional Project Coordinators
Outside of the project Websites, workshops, symposia, video, action
research
Generating Sustainable Networks of Leadership/Contribution
Social Capital Within each community
Between 7 participating communities
Between Indigenous communities in North America
PRA Focus Group Process
1. Brainstorm the strengths and benefits of scientific research
2. Decide how well we are currently making use of each strength for communities (low, medium, high).
3. Illustrate one idea per sticky note, size corresponding to how much we are making use of it
4. Share and explain your illustrations to the group. 5. Group organizes the sticky notes, based on
relatedness, into a visual ‘map’.
Discussion
What did you learn about the strengths of scientific research?
What did you learn/experience in the PRA process?
How could you use this process in your own work and communities?
7-8 communities
Project Oversight Committee
Participating
Communities
York and Trent
(University Partners)
COT
Local University Support Committees