❖ Educate locally – Seek out opportunities to provide training and skills development (e.g. make arrangements to give lectures in local schools, hold workshops in local community learning centers, and/or provide local radio interviews).
❖ Hire/purchase locally – Support the local economy wherever possible.
❖ Maintain communication – Keep the lines of communication open throughout your time within, and outside, the community.
❖ Respect local cultures, customs, and authority – Avoid disturbing families on particular days of the week, times of day, or in the wake of a local tragedy.
Work-related demands take a back seat when a family, or the community, has
experienced a tragedy or if large communal events/celebrations are planned.
Research is fairly secondary as local life and activities continue. If you are
respectful of community members and traditions, you will be more respected. Pay
close attention to the timing of seasonal hunting and camping activities when
planning community meetings, training or other activities that aim to maximize
community participation. Do not plan such activities during times of the year
(e.g. late spring and late summer) when most community members are likely to
be away camping.
❖ Try new things – Accepting new experiences (e.g. foods, activities, etc.) will
show that you are willing to learn about local life and culture, and that you are
willing to do things with people that are important to them (e.g. attend community events such as feasts or dances).
❖ Use the local language – Translate written communications wherever
possible, and hire an interpreter for interviews, meetings, or public speaking
engagements (where necessary). Making efforts to learn the local language
are also appreciated.
When attempting to negotiate a research relationship, some key factors to consider
at the outset include:
❖ Budget – Ensure that the project budget reflects costs associated with preproject consultation, local employment and training, honoraria, and results
reporting (translation, interpretation, transcription, in-person visits). Wherever
possible work together with communities to identify, and apply for, appropriate
funding sources.
❖ Local contact – Find out if the community wants to establish a local contact
network and/or advisory group. This would help in reviewing the research
proposal and providing advice before, during, and after the project. Even if this
is not formally established, it is valuable to have a local liaison throughout the
duration of the project.
❖ Informed consent – If your study involves interviewing people, discuss with
the appropriate local authorities (e.g. Hamlet Council, local Hunters and Trappers
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N EGOTIATING R ESEARCH R ELATIONSHIPS W ITH I NUIT C OMMUNITIES