Holding Space for All of Us

Area of Science:

• Community-Based Participatory Research
• Indigenous Health Research
• Research Ethics

Background:

• Tribal-academic research partnerships frequently encounter negative experiences and misunderstandings.
• Historical opportunistic research has damaged trust between tribal nations and academic institutions.
• There is a need for frameworks that honor tribal sovereignty and diverse ways of knowing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce 'The Holding Space: A Guide for Partners in Tribal Research' toolkit.
• To provide concepts for strengthening tribal-academic research relationships.
• To advocate for the integration of governance, trust, and culture in federally funded research.

Main Methods:

• The study draws on core concepts: governance, trust, and culture.
• It applies these concepts to the All of Us Research Program.
• The approach emphasizes honoring tribal sovereignty and all ways of knowing.

Main Results:

• The Holding Space toolkit offers a framework for equitable research partnerships.
• Applying the toolkit strengthens relationships by addressing historical inequities.
• The concepts are applicable to large-scale research programs like All of Us.

Conclusions:

• Federal research funding should mandate adherence to principles of governance, trust, and culture.
• Strengthening tribal-academic partnerships is crucial for ethical and effective research.
• Adopting these principles can counter negative experiences and foster mutual respect.