CSFS is dedicated to supporting Member Nations in their journey to achieve self-determination. The right to self-determination is realized through the provision of tailored information that is determined and controlled at a community level. Research serves as a vital means of acquiring knowledge about the challenges and strengths within the community, empowering CSFS to develop innovative programs and safeguard Indigenous knowledge. This aligns with our endeavours to ensure that all research directly benefits the communities.
Research at CSFS has been evolving since the early 2000s, and our focus has always been on establishing and upholding the highest standards in ethical processes and procedures for protecting the Member Nations and preserving traditional knowledge. Our research policies incorporate Indigenous research methods with the principles outlined in the Tri-Council Policy Statement on the Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS2) and the Tri-Agency Framework for Responsible Conduct of Research. The growing interest in community-led research has also underscored the importance of prioritizing all ethical considerations for preventing, reporting, and mitigating ethical breaches. In doing so, our ethics policy effectively describes the requirements and processes related to gaining access to and conducting research with CSFS and/or the Member Nations and communities.
Our organization has taken the lead in fulfilling our research endeavours through partnerships with universities and service organizations on various research initiatives, including securing Tri-Council grants, we continue to work towards ethical innovation in research. Our ethics policy framework details the responsibilities of researchers in upholding ethical principles and values that are essential in performing all research-related activities. These values include respect, trust, integrity, honesty, compassion, and responsibility. This work has not only resulted in improved relationality between community and researchers, but it also provides assurance that proposed research projects are ethical, community-orientated, and culturally appropriate.
Research at CSFS is focused on the improvement of health, social, and legal services that support the eleven Member Nations we serve through community-led research. We prioritize incorporating the traditional cultural practices and protocols of the Carrier and Sekani peoples into our research policies and procedures.
Our approach to research balances Indigenous and Western perspectives and is guided by the principles outlined in the Tri-Council Policy Statement on the ‘Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans’. This ensures that research is not only relevant but also provides quality, responsive services to the communities we serve, and emphasizes collaboration, consent and ownership, and reciprocity in our research practices.
At CSFS, we are dedicated to creating a research environment that is culturally safe and respectful of those involved. Whether our staff are engaging in community-led research or partnering with university faculty and students, we are committed to diversifying the scope of their research with an Indigenous lens. Our commitment to research promotes positive relationships between CSFS Member Nations and researcher partners.
Fostering positive relationships is essential in establishing an ethical framework for the collection and safeguarding of First Nations data and information governance. We recognize the Principles of OCAP® (Ownership, Control, Access, Possession) to prevent repeating historically unethical research processes. By incorporating these Principles, CSFS empowers community members to shape the direction of our research.
Last modified: Monday 24-Feb-25 09:02:06 PST
CSFS gratefully acknowledges Noeleen McQuary, the artisan who created the traditional Carrier baskets used in the CSFS branding on this webpage, and in other print and online media.
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