Tag Archives: research

Post #18: Tobacco Offering Protocol

It’s important to go about research properly, and something that has stood out for me in ETEC 521 is that cultural considerations should figure predominantly in research.

While researching for my final project I came across the cultural item of “tobacco in cloth.” In that paper it was listed in part of the study design, and I’d never heard of it. Intrigued, I investigated and found this: https://carleton.ca/indigenous/resources/tobacco-offering-protocol/

And also this: https://revivedrev.wordpress.com/2009/06/16/hello-world/

The first gives a good framework to work from, both offer step-by-step procedures that are identical, and the WordPress blog has this advice:

“This is a guideline for offering tobacco to Indigenous folks developed with Anishinaabeg near the Forks of the Red and the Assiniboine Rivers. It would be best to consult with local people to find out if the particulars are different. But this is a good starting point.”

For ourselves as masters students, and for any longer term scholars among us, loose tobacco wrapped in red cloth is a useful point of cultural reference to have in one’s tool belt.

Post 11: Dr. Carrie Bourassa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2YFQ6tACZE

In this video, Dr. Bourassa (bio below) explains how she approaches healthcare research with Indigenous communities. Her approach to this research is “formative” and “asset” based, rather than “deficit.” Dr. Bourassa also explores concepts such as cultural safety and self-determination.

These are all important concepts to consider in conceptualizing Indigenous healthcare research and practice. Still in the beginning stages, the approach explained by Dr. Bourassa promises to bridge the gap between Indigenous peoples and healthcare systems in Canada.

Useful for higher education. I can’t see an application below tertiary.

I’ll be using this video to better frame my approach to my paper.

Dr. Bourassa’s bio (from YouTube video):

“Chair in Indigenous & Northern Health and Senior Scientist at Health Sciences North Research Institute, and the Scientific Director of the Institute of Aboriginal Peoples’ Health at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Carrie spoke to over 100 attendees about the state of Indigenous and northern health in Canada and the inequalities that Indigenous populations continue to face. Carrie shared her personal story and provided insight into how HSN and HSNRI can create a safe culture for our Indigenous patients.”

Dr. Bourassa is part of these two organizations/initiatives:

http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/50716.html

www.yourhsn.ca