OUR ETHOS: Indigenous Led research

UIC will conduct ethical research in partnership with Urban Natives living in the tri-state area grounded in Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR). We seek to build the evidence base for effective, community-defined approaches to wellness by centering the voice and experience of Native and Indigenous communities throughout the research process.

We believe in:

Consultation
Continuous consent
Co-creation
Data sovereignty

UIC will engage municipal, local, state, and federal health officials to ensure that data on the Urban Native population are readily available. UIC will support and develop research by and for Urban Natives.

UIC has adopted the Code of Ethics and Integrity Guidelines that was created jointly between the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the Indigenous Wellness Research Institute –University of Washington (IWRI-UW).

Values and Principles

From Code of Ethics and Integrity Guidelines

Good Science
- Integrity of Indigenous knowledge and wisdom in all communities
- Mutual commitment to excellence and rigorous science
Accountability and Transparency
- Honor agreements from past/present/future
- Multiple forms of dissemination
Equalizing Power
- Reciprocity: honor what we are given and make sure we give back
- Value a broad and multiple definitions of research
Ensure Utility of Research for the partner community
- Meaningful impact, relevant benefit to the community, and respect the rights and dignity of community and those involved
Support Research Partners
- Focus on building capacity of the community and the research institution(s) involved.
- Actively provide ongoing opportunities for active participation in the research