Background
The Indigenous Health Research Knowledge Transfer Network
(IHRKTN) is an extension of the Indigenous Health Research Development
Program (IHRDP). The IHRDP is focused on developing a cadre (or core
group) of researchers, community organizations, policy-makers and
community members interested in Indigenous health in Ontario.
The Indigenous Health Research Knowledge Transfer
Network (IHRKTN) is based upon the following
understandings:
- There is a need to link health research to
practice in Indigenous communities in a relevant, respectful and
meaningful way;
- Knowledge transfer is not restricted to the
transfer of Western scientific knowledge to various audiences, but
includes the transfer of western AND indigenous
knowledge;
- It is necessary to work toward developing a
better understanding of how knowledge transfer works in Indigenous
contexts;
- The development of strategies to foster knowledge
transfer is not restricted to the ‘authors’ of the knowledge, but
requires the input of all stakeholders;
- Knowledge transfer is not exclusively
unidirectional (only from researcher to community or only from the
community to the researchers). The transfer of knowledge is a
bidirectional process.
From the perspective of an ACADRE-KT network, creating an
open dialogue among all stakeholders is a critical element in the
knowledge transfer process. As Wien states, “implicit in the idea of
creating meaning together is the need to create a common ground of
mutual respect, an environment where a mutually respectful dialogue can
take place.1"
In Ontario, it is vitally important that this dialogue
take place with regard to and respect for the diverse history of the
Anishnabek, Cree, Oji-Cree, Métis and Haudenosaunee cultures. The IHRDP
is well positioned to provide on-going training to non-Aboriginal health
researchers and policy-makers about Aboriginal health research and to
act as a vehicle for conveying mainstream research for use by Indigenous
communities.
-
To create an Ontario network for Aboriginal health knowledge
transfer;
-
To build on existing partnerships and situate the IHRDP at the
centre of an Ontario network for Aboriginal health knowledge
transfer;
-
To train the next generation of Aboriginal health
researchers;
-
To develop high quality processes for disseminating research
results;
-
To better understand Aboriginal approaches to research and to
educate mainstream health and social science researchers about the
production and use of Indigenous knowledge;
-
To contribute to the training of all researchers in the field of
knowledge transfer;
-
To identify areas in Aboriginal health research that could
benefit from strengthening and suggest appropriate knowledge transfer
practices;
-
To integrate Indigenous knowledge with the knowledge transfer
process by bridging Western and Indigenous approaches to research and
dissemination;
-
To connect researchers and Aboriginal language
speakers.
