Alaska Indigenous Research Program

Alaska Indigenous Research Program Modified Project Summary/Abstract Section The goal of the proposed collaborative Capacity Building Project between the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) and Alaska Pacific University (APU) is to increase capacity for conducting context-specific and respectful health research that addresses the unique setting and health needs of AN/AI Peoples. The objective is to continue the momentum of the NARCH X funded Alaska-based research training and education program “Alaska Indigenous Research Program” (AKIRP) in building a network of Indigenous and non-indigenous students, researchers and health professionals and scientists. The AKIRP is innovative and unique in that it differs from conventional approaches to education and training by bringing together varying perspectives and epistemologies - Indigenous and Western worldviews and ways of knowing - in an effort for mutual understanding, reciprocity, respect and the co-production of solutions that address health disparities among AN/AI Peoples. This is known as “Two-Eyed Seeing” or “Etuaptmumk”, a framework that was first proposed by Mi’kmaw Elders Albert and Murdena Marshall as a way to bridge Western science and Indigenous knowledge. The AKIRP aims to 1) provide Indigenous-centered health research education and training, 2) offer internship and mentorship opportunities and 3) providing career development support and research guidance and consultation. Continuing the AKIRP contributes to the overall goal of the ANTHC NARCH XII to conduct tribally-driven health research in pursuit of ANTHC’s vision that Alaska Native people are the healthiest people in the world. The expected long-term outcomes are new and improved ways of conducting research in collaboration with Indigenous peoples and communities to find solutions to health disparities that have not been addressed successfully before.