Research and Knowledge Building

At the core of our research efforts is a commitment to advancing health and wellness in Indigenous communities,while uplifting Indigenous leadership, knowledge systems, and researchers. Our approach centers respect, reciprocity, and the belief that research should serve—and be guided by—the communities it aims to benefit.

Knowledge Building & Translation

Research should not sit on a shelf. We prioritize knowledge building that is actionable, accessible, and responsive to multiple audiences. This includes translating findings into:

  • Practical tools and implementation guides

  • Training curricula and learning pathways

  • Policy and systems recommendations

  • Community-facing summaries, visuals, and storytelling formats

We work alongside partners to ensure findings are shared back with communities first and in ways that support local decision-making, funding advocacy, and program sustainability.

Our Approach

We practice research as a relational responsibility rather than an extractive process. This means moving beyond deficit-based narratives and instead illuminating strengths, lived expertise, and community-defined priorities. We partner with Tribes, Urban Indian organizations, and Indigenous-serving systems to co-design research and learning efforts that are culturally grounded, ethically conducted, and directly useful for decision-making, advocacy, and care delivery.

Our work is guided by:

  • Tribal sovereignty and self-determination

  • Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC)

  • Indigenous data governance principles (including CARE and OCAP where applicable)

  • Community benefit, transparency, and shared ownership of knowledge

Indigenous Researchers & Workforce Development

We are committed to strengthening Indigenous research capacity and leadership across public health, clinical, and community settings. This includes:

  • Mentorship and support for Indigenous researchers and practitioners

  • Collaborative learning spaces and communities of practice

  • Capacity development for Tribal, IHS, and Urban Indian health staff engaged in data, evaluation, and quality improvement

  • Support for community-driven evaluation and learning approaches.

Community-Centered Research & Assessment

We support Indigenous-led and Indigenous-informed research and assessment efforts that respond to real-world community questions. Rather than focusing on “gaps” or deficiencies, we help communities document:

  • Existing strengths, assets, and innovations

  • Community-defined needs and priorities

  • System-level barriers and opportunities for transformation

  • Pathways for healing, care, and prevention rooted in culture and place

Our methods may include listening sessions, focus groups, interviews, participatory workshops, landscape scans, and mixed-methods analyses—always tailored to the cultural, geographic, and political context of each Nation or community.

Areas of Focus

Our research and knowledge-building work often intersects with:

  • HIV, HCV, STIs, and syndemic-informed care

  • Reproductive justice and sexual health

  • Mental health, substance use, and harm reduction

  • Indigenous Determinants of Health & Equity

  • Workforce development and systems transformation across Tribal, IHS, and Urban Indian health systems.

Our Commitment

We believe research is most powerful when it strengthens relationships, restores trust, and contributes to long-term community wellbeing. We approach every project with humility, accountability, and deep respect for the knowledge that already exists within Indigenous communities.