Laurie Chan, University of Ottawa, spoke during the Transparency, Risk Communication & Stakeholder Engagement at the CEC Chemicals Management Forum in San Antonio, Texas, on May 16, 2012. More at: http://www.cec.org/chemicals2012

1. Successful Partnership between
Health Researchers and First
Nations Communities
Laurie Hing Man Chan, Ph.D.
Professor and Canada Research Chair
in Toxicology and Environmental Health
University of Ottawa

3. Historical Baggage and Research Fatigue

4. First Nations Food, Nutrition and
Environment Study
Funding for this study is provided by Health Canada.
The information and opinions expressed in this presentation are those of the authors/researchers and
do not necessarily reflect the official views of Health Canada.
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5. First Nations
Food,
Nutrition and
Environment
Study
Resolution no. 30 at
the AFN Annual
General Assembly
July 12, 2007
Halifax, NS
10

6. This study is led by
 Dr. Laurie Chan, Toxicologist and Professor,
University of Northern BC
 Dr. Olivier Receveur, Nutritionist and Professor,
Université de Montréal
 Dr. Donald Sharp, Assembly of First Nations
 With contributions from: Dr. Constantine
Tikhonov, Dr. Harold Schwartz, and
Dr. Caroline Mimeault.
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7. Objectives
In partnership with First Nation communities,
the study will aim to:
 Document traditional and market food
consumption
 Document food security and some water quality
issues in communities
 Estimate exposure to contaminants and intake of
nutrients of concern across communities
 Document self-reported health status and
lifestyle habits across communities
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8. First Nations First Nations Food,
Nutrition and Environment Study
 100 communities from 2008-2018
 ~8 - 12 communities per year and
returning back in the last 2 years
 Systematic Random Sampling by
region and ecozone
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9. Partnership and Community
Participation
 The project involves the participating
communities at all stages of the project
 CIHR guidelines are followed which respect
the OCAP principles
 Data is kept confidential
 Both community and individual consent
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10. Approach
 Methodology workshop
 Community visits and negotiation of Research
Agreement
 Hiring of research assistants in communities
 Collecting seasonal food samples
 Training of research assistants
 Interviews, hair and drinking water collection
 Data and sample analysis
 Result reporting and communications
 Return data and training 22

12. Research Agreement (1)
 Scope of the study
 Methods and Procedures
 Responsibilities of Lead Researchers
 Responsibilities of the First Nation
 Non-commercial Purpose
 First Nation Involvement and
Training
 Informed Consent

13. Research Agreement (2)
 Confidentiality
 Expected outcomes, Benefits and
Risks
 Data Management and Ownership
 Health Canada’s Role in the
Research
 Dissemination of Results
 Term and Termination

14. Data Management (1)
 The Data collected is confidential and no name is
attached to a record.
 Copies will be kept at the offices of the PIs in
electronic form.
 Each First Nation will have a copy of its own Data.
 AFN will be the Data custodian.
 The PIs will be available assist First Nation
members should First Nation members decide to
use the Data for different purpose beyond the
objectives of this particular project.

15. Data Management (2)
 All Data shall vest in and remain the property of
the First Nation, or individual member thereof who
provided it.
 The Lead Researcher will be able to use the Data
for purposes set out in this Agreement.
 The First Nation understands that the Lead
Researcher’s participation in the Study is conducted
under a broader scope of scientific research and
the Lead Researcher intends to present the
research findings by a variety of means including
conference presentations, teaching, publishing in
academic journals, and reports to the funding
agency, Health Canada.

16. Dissemination of Results (1)
 Any future publication or dissemination of research
results, beyond what is described in this agreement
shall not be undertaken without an agreement
between the Lead Researcher and
consultation/accommodation with the First Nation
community.
 The First Nation Community will be the first to
receive community research results and the first
invited to provide input and feedback on the
results.
 Community results should be presented in a format
and language appropriate and accessible to the
First Nation community.

17. Dissemination of Results (2)
 Results will not be released without prior
presentation and consultation with the First Nation
Community.
 The Lead Researcher agrees to participate in
community meetings to discuss the results and
their implications.
 The Lead Researcher shall release the findings of
the study to the public at large in a joint research
report, scientific journal or other publication.
Participating First Nations will be acknowledged.

18. Dissemination of Results (3)
 Any future publication or dissemination of research
results, beyond what is described in this agreement
shall not be undertaken without an agreement
between the Lead Researcher and
consultation/accommodation with the First Nation
community.

19. Participation demands capacity
 Risk of selection bias
 Need to build in capacity building
components

20. Contact Information
WEB Site: www.fnfnes.ca
Phone: (250)-960-6708
Email: FNFNES@unbc.ca