{"id":47,"date":"2024-05-28T17:22:30","date_gmt":"2024-05-28T21:22:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/indigenousdigitalliteracies\/chapter\/metis-governance\/"},"modified":"2024-07-29T13:41:53","modified_gmt":"2024-07-29T17:41:53","slug":"metis-governance","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/indigenousdigitalliteracies\/chapter\/metis-governance\/","title":{"raw":"M\u00e9tis Governance Practices","rendered":"M\u00e9tis Governance Practices"},"content":{"raw":"

Principles of ethical M\u00e9tis research<\/h1>\nHere, we discuss M\u00e9tis-specific culturally competent ethical research principles that are adhered to by the M\u00e9tis Centre at the National Aboriginal Health Organization in its research. These principles are not rigid rules, but a starting point for ethical research with M\u00e9tis communities.\n\nThe National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) identifies six principles of ethical M\u00e9tis research:\n
    \n \t
  1. Reciprocal Relationships<\/li>\n \t
  2. \u201cRespect for\u201d<\/li>\n \t
  3. Safe and Inclusive Environments<\/li>\n \t
  4. Recognize Diversity<\/li>\n \t
  5. \u201cResearch Should\u201d<\/li>\n \t
  6. M\u00e9tis Context<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \n

    Learner notes<\/p>\n\n<\/header>\n

    \n\nThe following M\u00e9tis-specific culturally competent ethical research principles are adhered to by the M\u00e9tis Centre at the National Aboriginal Health Organization in its research, who note for outside groups who choose to use or adapt them that, \"The principles are not intended to be enforceable rules that must be followed but rather are a well thought out starting point to engage M\u00e9tis communities in ethical research.\" (M\u00e9tis Centre of NAHO, 2018)\n\nThey are not trademarked like the OCAP\u00ae.\n\nSource and recommended reading: National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) (2018). Principles of Ethical M\u00e9tis Research [PDF]<\/a>. Quotes in the below section come from this document.\n\nAlso see Indigenous Data Sovereignty | Research at UCalgary | University of Calgary<\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    Reciprocal Relationships<\/h2>\nResearchers should build equal partnerships with the M\u00e9tis community, engage with community members, and ensure that responsibilities and benefits are shared.\n
    \"Building these relationships involves three parts: engaging the community by going among the people and becoming known, earning acceptance through this process, and then getting community involvement once the trusting relationship is established.\"\n\n\u2014Cited from Principles of Ethical M\u00e9tis Research [PDF] | M\u00e9tis Centre at NAHO (achh.ca)<\/a><\/blockquote>\n

    \"Respect for\"<\/h2>\nRespect should be shown for individual and collective perspectives, community practices and protocols, confidentiality, autonomy, identity, and gender diversity.\n
    \"[R]espect is for \u2018both\u2019 the individual and the collective. This is one thing that makes doing research in M\u00e9tis communities unique and is consistent with the view that M\u00e9tis live with a foot in two worlds, an Aboriginal one and a Western one. For example, given a particular situation, a M\u00e9tis community may choose to want individual consent, collective consent, or both.\"<\/blockquote>\n

    Safe and Inclusive Environments<\/h2>\nResearch must be inclusive of various age groups, genders, sexual identities, and diverse concepts of Indigeneity, and should maintain inclusivity throughout the research process.\n
    \"By this it is meant that research should, when appropriate, be inclusive to youth and elders, all genders and sexual identities, find the correct balance of individual and collective influence, and be inclusive of a variety of concepts of [Indigeneity].\"<\/blockquote>\n

    Diversity<\/h2>\nResearchers should recognize and account for the diversity within M\u00e9tis communities, including differences in beliefs, values, worldviews, and geographic locations.\n
    \"There can be a great diversity even within a single M\u00e9tis community. Individuals within this community may, for example, have beliefs that are anywhere along a belief system continuum from very contemporary to very traditional and they may live their lives according to this system of belief.\"<\/blockquote>\n
    \n

    Learner notes<\/p>\n\n<\/header>\n

    \n\nThe use of the terms \u201cM\u00e9tis\u201d and \u201cm\u00e9tis\u201d is complex and contentious. When capitalized, the term often describes people of the M\u00e9tis Nation who trace their origins to the Red River<\/a> Valley and the prairies beyond. The M\u00e9tis National Council (MNC), the political organization that represents the M\u00e9tis Nation, defined \u201cM\u00e9tis\u201d in 2002 as \u201ca person who self-identifies as M\u00e9tis, is distinct from other Aboriginal Peoples, is of historic M\u00e9tis Nation ancestry and who is accepted by the M\u00e9tis Nation.\u201d The MNC defines the M\u00e9tis homeland as the three Prairie<\/a> provinces and parts of Ontario<\/a>, British Columbia<\/a>, the Northwest Territories<\/a> and the northern United States. Members of the M\u00e9tis Nation have a common culture, ancestral language (Michif<\/a>), history and political tradition, and are connected through an extensive network of kin relations.\n\nSources and recommended readings: Indigenous Data Sovereignty | Research at UCalgary | University of Calgary<\/a> and Principles of Ethical M\u00e9tis Research [PDF] | M\u00e9tis Centre at NAHO (achh.ca)<\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    \"Research Should\"<\/h2>\nEthical research should have outcomes that are relevant to the M\u00e9tis community, accurate, beneficial to all involved, responsible, and should acknowledge the contributions of participants and community partners.\n
    \"Research should protect M\u00e9tis cultural knowledge.\"<\/blockquote>\n

    M\u00e9tis Context<\/h2>\nResearchers should have a deep understanding of M\u00e9tis history, values, knowledge, and context. They should also involve M\u00e9tis experts and navigate the complexities of M\u00e9tis worldviews and straddling of cultural perspectives.\n
    \"Knowing history and the M\u00e9tis context can also help researchers navigate the political and geographic complexities that may arise.\"<\/blockquote>\n

    Additional M\u00e9tis governance practices in Canada: OCAS<\/h1>\n\"OCAS\n

    <\/p>\nThe following principles of OCAS (o<\/strong>wnership, c<\/strong>ontrol, a<\/strong>ccess and s<\/strong>tewardship) were developed by M\u00e9tis communities and are essential for ensuring the rights of Indigenous Peoples. Many M\u00e9tis communities across Canada follow the ethical guidelines of OCAS.\n

    \n

    Learner notes<\/p>\n\n<\/header>\n

    \n\nNote that the M\u00e9tis OCAS and the First Nations OCAP\u00ae are similar, but the \u201cS\u201d in OCAS stands for \u201cstewardship\u201d where the \u201cP\u201d in OCAP\u00ae stands for \u201cpossession.\u201d\n\nSource and recommended reading: Indigenous Data Sovereignty - Research Data Services - LibGuides at University of Victoria Libraries (uvic.ca)<\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    O is for Ownership<\/h2>\nOwnership<\/strong> recognizes that Indigenous communities have inherent rights to their data, culture, and resources. It emphasizes that data and information belong to the community alone.\n

    C is for Control<\/h2>\nControl<\/strong> empowers Indigenous communities to make decisions about their data, including who can access it, how it is used, and under what conditions. Control ensures that community members have a say in data governance.\n

    A is for Access<\/h2>\nAccess<\/strong> ensures that community members have access to relevant data and information. It emphasizes transparency and openness while respecting cultural protocols and privacy.\n

    S is for Stewardship<\/h2>\nStewardship<\/strong> acknowledges the responsibility of safeguarding data and resources for future generations. Stewardship involves ethical management, protection, and preservation.\n
    \n

    Learner notes<\/p>\n\n<\/header>\n

    Sources and recommended reading: Indigenous Data Governance & Sovereignty - Research Data Management - Research Guides at University of Saskatchewan (usask.ca)<\/a> and Manitoba M\u00e9tis Federation | MMF<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    Attributions<\/h1>\n