Rae O’Leary
Successful research with Tribal Nations begins with relationships, not data collection. This presentation introduces a relational framework for building and sustaining research partnerships with Tribal communities that honor sovereignty, trust, and shared benefit. The framework, which provides examples of roles for tribal communities and external researchers, starts with a research concept and study design and ends with sustainable community outcomes. The process emphasizes respect for Indigenous governance, co-creation of research priorities, and data management practices grounded in reciprocity and transparency. Using the National Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Cohort as a case example, presenters will describe how Missouri Breaks Research and Avera Research Institute applied this framework to develop a Data Use Agreement for the ECHO Cohort that was approved by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Council in 2024. This collaborative process centered on dialogue, patience, and shared decision-making, ensuring that Tribal perspectives guided how data would be accessed, managed, and used. Data Use Agreements are necessary to ensure data ownership stays with the tribe, the Tribal, or delegated committees to provide approval and oversight, and the data is used for the benefit of Tribal and community members. This session will highlight key elements of successful partnerships, including Tribal review and approval processes, long-term relationship building, and approaches for aligning federal research protocols with Tribal data sovereignty principles. Participants will gain insight into practical strategies for advancing ethical, culturally grounded research that supports both scientific and community goals.