The Koolungar ( Children ) Moorditj ( Strong ) Healthy Skin Project Part I: Conducting First Nations Research in...

Integrating First Nations knowledge systems and Western research methodologies recognizes the strength, experience, and insight of First Nations peoples in addressing health issues in their communities. In research, this includes projects being led by First Nations Elders and peoples, including First Nations researchers in the team, and collecting data in ways that reflect First Nations ways of knowing, being, and doing. In this paper, we reflect upon the Koolungar (children) Moorditj (strong) Healthy Skin Project; operational in Perth and Bunbury, Western Australia, Australia, where the traditional custodians are the Noongar Aboriginal people. This Aboriginal Elder co-designed project is presented as a case study to illustrate the practical use of The Kids Research Institute Australia Standards for the Conduct of Aboriginal Health Research, in striving towards best practice in Aboriginal pediatric dermatology research. It leads into The Koolungar (children) Moorditj (strong) Healthy Skin Project Part II manuscript, in which we present cross-sectional studies of Aboriginal children attending community skin screening weeks.