The Third National Conference on
Quality Health Care for Culturally Diverse Populations:
Advancing Effective Health Care through Systems Development, Data, and Measurement

October 2 - 4, 2002, Chicago, IL
Westin Chicago River North Hotel

Workshop D: "It’s not about colored beads anymore": designing & conducting research among American Indian populations using culturally appropriate, tribally specific & scientifically valid approaches

Presenters
Theda McPheron-Keel (Cherokee/Creek)
Rebecca (Becky) Akins (Mohawk/Chippewa)

Description
Tribal populations represent a unique challenge to researchers. While there is no one-way to work in a tribally specific manner with the hundreds of tribes which exist, there are certain universal approaches which do apply. This intensive workshop taught by native researchers who themselves work with multiple tribal groups and numerous research programs nationwide will teach participants how to overcome barriers to culturally appropriate tribally based research. The program itself will be ran in a ‘tribal manner’, allowing the participants to become ‘members of tribes’ and partners in the research process. Individuals and group participation will be centered around the four (4) main prototypes of tribal structure. These are:

Male Dominate Tribal Population
Female Dominate Tribal Population
Reservation Based Tribal Population
Urban Based Tribal Population

The tribal location will also be representative of the four (4) United States quadrants (NE, SE, NW, and SW).

As tribal members, the participants will be given materials appropriate to the tribal population groups they are a part of and will be structured into a "mock" functioning body of the tribe itself. Packets will contain information concerning actual programs, reservations, existing tribal service facilities, university research centers, health care facilities and other resources available. Information will also include barriers to access, geographical features, financial information, government structures affecting each particular tribal group, and other barriers to culturally appropriate services and research. In addition, the packets will all contain resource materials such as lists of publications, bibliographies relevant to the tribe/urban area, recommended "how to research" sources, as well as agencies and organizations, locally and nationally, with contact information.

In the training session, a research project using an actual grant will be distributed to the four (4) groups. Each group must then work within their tribal body and its unique parameter to fulfill the grant research and data needs requirements. The instructors will serve as guides and mentors to the groups by partnering with each as the "outside researchers" for the project. A completed research plan, with data emphasized, will be developed by each tribe (with assistance). Each tribe will present their finished project to the entire body of participants. Questions and answers will then be done so each group can not only explain their rationale for ‘why’ and ‘how’ the same project was done by them in the manner presented, but also why it is appropriate for this group and not necessarily the other groups. Discussion of resources and barriers will be encouraged with an overview developed of universal approaches and inclusion of tribally specific steps as a ongoing focus of the session. It is believed that by using such intense tribally specific focuses and comparisons among the major tribal/urban structures, the necessity of culturally appropriate and culturally specific research will be clearly defined.

In addition, teaching will be undertaken in a respectful manner using humor as a major component. Participants will be encouraged to question not only the research process itself, but stereotypical beliefs and practices as well. Emphasis during the "grant" will be on using recognized data collection methods, qualitative as well as quantitative, with analysis of the data using accepted standards and methods all adapted to the tribal type being served as well as being modified for cultural competency needs. Emphasis will also include the return of useful data, with practical applications for the tribal body and benefits to the tribal populations and communities being a priority.

Overall, the intensive training is ambitious but doable if a half day or better yet, a full day session is used. The dire need for competent and culturally appropriate research among tribal populations is a driving factor for sponsoring training sessions such as this. Those of us who walk both paths as American Indians ourselves and also as researchers within the American Indian community must serve as mentors, trainers and bridges between the cultures. This session will achieve a training experience for the participants that can be useful in future tribal research partnerships, so we all benefit for this program.

Faculty Bios
Theda McPheron-Keel is a tribally enrolled Cherokee who was raised traditionally by her medicine woman grandmother. She holds four (4) undergraduate degrees in nursing (RN and advanced Nurse Practitioner in Rehabilitation), psychology, sociology and pre-med biology. She also has three (3) Masters degrees; one in American Indian Studies from the University and has taught American Indian studies at West Virginia University. Another Master degree is in Applied Social Research from West Virginia University with her area of expertise that of data needs and research among American Indian Populations. The third graduate degree is also from West Virginia University, School of Medicine in Community Health Education, again focus on culturally diverse minority population groups (AI/AN) and education outreach efforts. She has specialized certification as a community Health Education Specialist, C.H.E.S. through board certification. Presently, Ms. McPheron-Keel is completing a PhD in Public and Community Health at the University of Maryland. Her research focus is health issues among AI populations and data development concerning ceremonial tobacco use verses commercial tobacco abuse. She serves as an advisory board member and past plenary speaker and workshop presenter of the Quality Health Care for Culturally Diverse Populations program. She writes, publishes, lectures and presents nationwide on cultural diversity issues, needs and solutions. Due to her recognized expertise, Ms. Keel serves on a variety of advisory boards and as a National expert on issues pertaining to tribal populations, minority health, cross cultural issues and data needs nationwide. She is recognized as a humorous and gifted teacher and lecturer.

Rebecca (Becky) Akins is of Mohawk and Chippewa descent. She was raised within tribal areas on the east coast. She currently resides in Tucson, Arizona. Ms. Akins is a graduate of the University of Arizona with a Masters Degree in American Indian Studies. She has served as Program Coordinator for both Tobacco and HIV programs in tribal communities. She has assisted in the development of culturally appropriate training materials designed for use within Native American tobacco cessation programs. She has presented cultural sensitivity programs for several non-Indian organizations as well. She has assisted in research projects and written grants to secure funding for numerous tribal programs. Her grant expertise continues as she owns and operates her own grant/funding and research consulting firm. Ms. Akins is currently partnered with Wind Hollow Foundation, a non-profit organization, that deals with American Indian issues nationwide. Together they are conducting research under a National Cancer Institute grant as part of the Native American Cancer Researchers Training Program. Ms Akins continues to serve nationally as a consultant and advisor to tribal populations and mainstream organizations. Her teaching style is relaxed, humorous and detailed oriented.

Wind Hollow Foundation
6739 D South Clifton Road
Frederick, MD 21703
Phone: 301-371-8759
Fax: 301-371-8769
E-mail: windholo@windhollow.org

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