"Being Grounded in the Ancestors and Looking Forward..."-Blending Culturally Competent Research with Indigenous...

The themes and topics found in this Prevention Science supplemental issue on Promoting Health Equity through Rigorous, Culturally Informed Intervention Science: Innovations with Indigenous Populations in the United States represent a comprehensive array of essential considerations for the ethical and principled conduct of health-related research with indigenous communities. The topics are inclusive of what must be considered when researchers realize "culture matters" in the conduct of ethnocultural field-based research. The reader is introduced to profound insights, engaging observations, important research results, and cutting-edge commentary on the future of health-centered research and practice with indigenous populations. In reflecting on the general intent of the issue, two additional themes are considered. Attention is given to the research relationship and requirements for a significant degree and depth in the cultural competence and sensitivity of field-based research teams. Consideration also is given culture and leadership style at the local community level in research programs. These twin considerations have bearing on two important questions facing future research in Indigenous health. In effect, who will guide the community's policies, practices, and experiences of the research teams? Who will lead the funding and policy sources and the next generation of researchers?