Conducting Research by and with Indigenous Peoples and Communities

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Policy Number: RES 103Policy Title: Conducting Research by and with Indigenous Peoples and Communities
Supersedes Existing Policy? No Policy Owner: Executive Director, Indigenous Engagement and Applied Research
Associated Procedure: YesPolicy Sponsor: Executive Director, Indigenous Engagement and Applied Research
Next Review Date: October 2027Date Last Approved by the CET: October 7, 2026
1. Introduction and Purpose 

Loyalist College is committed to supporting Indigenous research grounded in respectful relationships, ethical practices, and recognition of the rights of Indigenous Peoples and communities to exercise self-determination through research.  

The purpose of this policy is to establish the principles and requirements governing Indigenous research conducted at or through Loyalist College. It provides a framework for conducting research in ways that respect Indigenous rights, Knowledge, cultures, community governance, and research practices that align with Indigenous worldviews. 

2. Application 

This policy applies to individuals undertaking Indigenous research occurring at or with Loyalist College. 

Research involving Indigenous participants must also comply with the requirements and approval processes established in RES 104 Ethical Conduct of Research Involving Human Participants. 

3. Definitions  

Community Engagement. A process that develops a reciprocal, collaborative, and ongoing relationship between a researcher and the Indigenous community engaged in the research project. The level of engagement will vary depending on the nature of the research, the community involved, and the context of the project. 

Indigenous Knowledge. The understandings, skills, and philosophies developed by societies with long histories of interactions with their natural surroundings. This includes but is not limited to stories, observations, experiences, practices, art, theories, and beliefs. 

Indigenous Peoples. A collective name for the original peoples of North America and their descendants. Within the Canadian context, there are 3 distinct peoples, First Nations, Inuit, and Metis, who hold unique histories, languages, cultural practices, and spiritual beliefs.  

Indigenous research. Any research that includes an Indigenous component. This includes:

  • Comply with the requirements of Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS2), including Chapter 9 Research Involving the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples of Canada;  
  • Respect Indigenous community research protocols and data governance principles, including OCAP (ownership, control, access, possession) for First Nations research, OCAS (ownership, control, access, stewardship) principles for Métis research, IQ (Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit) for Inuit research; 
  • Receive approval from the Tsi Thatihenthos Indigenous Research Circle (TTIRC) before research activities begin; 
  • Receive Loyalist College Research Ethics Board (REB) approval where required under RES 104 Ethical Conduct of Research Involving Human Participants; and 
  • Comply with any conditions established by the TTIRC, REB, or community approval processes. 
4. Policy 

Indigenous research conducted within the scope of this policy must respect the rights, interests, Knowledge, and self-determination of Indigenous Peoples and communities and comply with ethical, community, and college requirements.  

Indigenous research must: 

  • Comply with the requirements of Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS2), including Chapter 9 Research Involving the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples of Canada;  
  • Respect Indigenous community research protocols and data governance principles, including OCAP (ownership, control, access, possession) for First Nations research, OCAS (ownership, control, access, stewardship) principles for Métis research, IQ (Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit) for Inuit research; 
  • Receive approval from the Tsi Thatihenthos Indigenous Research Circle (TTIRC) before research activities begin; 
  • Receive Loyalist College Research Ethics Board (REB) approval where required under RES 104 Ethical Conduct of Research Involving Human Participants; and 
  • Comply with any conditions established by the TTIRC, REB, or community approval processes. 

4.1 Principles for Ethical Indigenous Research Practices 

Respect for Indigenous Sovereignty

The college acknowledges the importance of understanding and respecting the composition of the Indigenous communities involved in the research in order to appropriately follow their ethics guidelines and research engagement processes. Researchers must obtain consent from the appropriate Elder, Knowledge Keeper, or Council in addition to individual participant consent, recognizing that overlapping Traditional Territories, treaty relationships, and complex community structures may be involved.

Researchers must be cognizant of the potential for multiple internal governance bodies, overlapping nation Territories, and their treaty relationship. Researchers are required to identify all relevant bodies and connect with each as needed. 

Engagement with all appropriate Indigenous representatives is essential to ensuring respectful and ethical relationships with Indigenous communities and Indigenous Knowledge throughout the research process. The college requires researchers to engage with individuals and groups that may not be represented within formal community leadership structures (i.e. band council or traditional governance structures) during the research scoping and throughout the research process. Equitable participation alongside broader community consultation and cooperation is vital to community engaged research.

Respect for Indigenous Knowledge 

The college recognizes and honours the legitimacy of Indigenous Knowledge and affirms the importance of ensuring that it is represented and used in ways that empower Indigenous communities. As the caretakers of this Knowledge, Indigenous Peoples hold the sole authority to validate their own Knowledge and any teachings derived from it.  

Researchers must ensure that any Indigenous Knowledge used in research is properly attributed to its source and that it is never presented as their own. Any use of Indigenous Knowledge in research conducted in affiliation with the college must be approved in advance through processes identified by the specific Indigenous community involved; researchers must therefore allow sufficient time for community review and approval. The results of the research activities must be shared and discussed collaboratively so that all partners can confirm the accuracy of the results.  

Research deliverables must include opportunities to share the results, findings, and co-created Knowledge throughout the Indigenous community, in alignment with the community’s preferences.

Reciprocity within Relationships 

Researchers must ensure that their relationships with Indigenous communities are reciprocal, recognizing Indigenous communities are equal partners in the research process. Ongoing consultation and collaboration are essential components of the partnership between the researcher and the community.  

Any benefits that arise from the research, inventions, or findings based on Indigenous Knowledge must be shared equitably with the Indigenous community that provided the Knowledge.  

Respect for Indigenous Knowledge Governance: Knowledge Stewardship  

Loyalist College recognizes and upholds the data sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples as a fundamental expression of self-determination. The college affirms that Indigenous Peoples hold inherent rights and authority over their Knowledge, as well as over any research data or information collected by or about their People, and on their Traditional Territories. Data and information gathered through Indigenous research activities and held by the college remain subject to accountability to the Indigenous community from which it originates.  

Researchers must integrate the First Nations Principles of OCAP®, Metis principles of OCAS, and/or Inuit strategy of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance, and the Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy parameters specific to Indigenous research into their data collection processes. Researchers are required to use standardized and formal data protocols outlined inside their community engagement plan and the research agreement. 

Any research agreements involving Indigenous research activities must clearly specify who will retain original materials or copies of those materials. In situations where the appropriate disposal of existing research materials currently in the college’s possession is uncertain, the TTIRC will consider the matter before deciding whether to archive or destroy the material. 

The college affirms that Indigenous Peoples are the sole owners of, and must have access to, all information and data about themselves, their communities, and their shared Knowledge, regardless of where it is currently held. When no First Nations community or Indigenous organizational authority is available to oversee data stewardship, the Applied Research and Innovation Office will work with the TTIRC to ensure that the college fulfills its responsibility to store and provide access to research information and data appropriately. 

If access to existing research materials currently archived by the college is requested, the college must obtain renewed consent from the relevant governance bodies consenting to the research before the materials can be accessed and further used. In instances where a governance body cannot be reasonably identified, the TTIRC will assume data stewardship responsibilities.

5. Non-compliance Implications

Failure to comply with this policy, including failure to obtain TTIRC approval prior to the commencement of research activities or failure to comply with the conditions of the approval(s), constitutes a breach of RES 102 Responsible Conduct of Research.

6. Related Documents

Principal investigators must uphold the following responsibilities:

  • RES 104B Ethical Conduct of Research involving Human Participants Appendix C Renewal or Amendment Request Form 
  • RES 104B Ethical Conduct of Research involving Human Participants Appendix D Adverse Events Form 
  • RES 104B Ethical Conduct of Research involving Human Participants Appendix E Project Completion or Termination Form 
7. References

This policy was developed in consultation with community members from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory and Hiawatha First Nation.