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Aliya Pardhan, a University of Guelph Masters of Science graduate completed the defense of her thesis this past summer. Her thesis, "EXPLORING KEY STAKEHOLDER PERSPECTIVES FOR A COLLABORATIVE FIRST NATION RESEARCH PROTOCOL", is an important publication for anyone interested in working with First Nations in the delivery of health and other services.

Dr. Ricardo Ramirez was her Academic Advisor at the University of Guelph for this work. Aliya visited Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout and Fort Severn to complete the research portion of her thesis, working with the Keewaytinook Okimakanak team and Fort Severn leadership and community members.

From the abstract ....

This thesis proposes a set of recommendations to assist the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Research Institute (KORI) in developing codes of conduct of research with the First Nation. 

It places the discussion of research ethics in the context of cultural world view and the struggle for self-determination as peoples and nations. 

It affirms that the First Nation Peoples have a right to participate as partners in research that generates knowledge affecting their culture, identity and well-being.

To provide the context and rational for the recommendations presented, the thesis outlines how ethics are framed in the First Nation with respect to research design, informed consent, entry into the field, confidentiality, approaches to data collection, participant roles, ownership of data and dissemination of results.

The thesis also describes how First Nation perceptions of reality and ethical behavior contrast with the norms prevailing in western research.  The perspective of community ethics suggests that representation of multiple voices, enhancement of moral discernment, building capacity, empowerment, and self-advocacy need to be critical components of research. 

This study emphasizes that the research process needs to be reciprocal and collaborative, with communities, researchers, research organizations, academic institutions, research councils and funding agencies working together to shape the conception, definition and direction of research in the North.

Click here to read the entire 201 page thesis (918K, PDF document)

Concerning her future adventures, Aliya writes ... "I actually did get accepted into a PhD program here at Guelph in epidemiology/population medicine. I do intend to build on my thesis with more of a health/infectious disease perspective. My research is being funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada."

Keewaytinook Okimakanak congratulates Aliya on her successes and looks forward to working with her on her doctoral research.

The North West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) is a new organization designed to plan, integrate and fund health services in Northwestern Ontario, including hospitals, community care access centres, home care, long-term care, community health centres, community support services and mental health and addiction services.

The North West LHIN has been working with health service providers, communities and the public to develop an Integrated Health Services Plan (IHSP) for Northwestern Ontario. This plan will set out broad health care priorities and strategies for our area for the three year period beginning in April 2007.

The Integrated Health Services Plan will be submitted to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care by October 31, 2006 and will include:

• An assessment of health needs, services, issues and challenges across Northwestern Ontario;
• The North West LHIN’s vision, values and principles;
• Priorities for health system improvements; and
• Action plans to address priority health care issues during the three-year period.

A draft plan is now available and the North West LHIN is
seeking public input on this document.

You can access the draft plan and the accompanying feedback survey on the Northwest LHIN web site at www.lhins.on.ca, or you can contact the North West LHIN for a copy.

Contact: Maria Harding
Administrative Assistant
Toll-free: 1-866-907-5446, ext. 2009
Tel.: 807-684-9533, ext. 2009
E-mail: maria.harding@lhins.on.ca

The North West LHIN will receive feedback on the plan until October 10, 2006.