Tensions in anti-colonial research: lessons learned by collaborating with a mining-affected indigenous community

Area of Science:

• Nursing Research
• Global Health
• Indigenous Health

Background:

• Community-based research must address sociopolitical realities and global inequities.
• Privilege and oppression significantly influence research dynamics, creating inherent tensions.
• Mining corporations often impact community health and self-advocacy, particularly in Indigenous populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• Examine the political context of mining corporations' influence on community health.
• Describe common health threats and challenges in mining-affected communities.
• Reflect on anti-colonial research with an Indigenous community in Guatemala.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing an anti-colonial theoretical framework.
• Analyzing research tensions: community agency vs. victimhood, shared goals vs. distinct identities, commitment to outcomes vs. acknowledging limitations.
• Qualitative reflection on research experiences within a mining-affected Indigenous community.

Main Results:

• Mining activities pose significant health threats and challenges to affected communities.
• Colonial legacies exacerbate health disparities and hinder self-advocacy capacity.
• Research encounters inherent tensions requiring careful navigation.

Conclusions:

• Anti-colonial perspectives are crucial for ethical and effective community-based nursing research.
• Methodological adaptations are necessary to address power dynamics and promote genuine collaboration.
• Nurse researchers should prioritize community well-being and self-determination in their work.