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American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities experience notable health disparities associated with substance use, including disproportionate rates of accidents/injuries, diabetes, liver disease, suicide, and substance use disorders. Effective treatments for substance use are needed to improve health equity for AI/ AN communities. However, an unfortunate history of unethical and stigmatizing research has engendered distrust and reluctance to participate in research among many Native communities. In recent years, researchers have made progress toward engaging in ethical health disparities research by using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) framework to work in close partnership with community members throughout the research process. In this methodological process paper, we discuss the collaborative development of a quantitative survey aimed at understanding risk and protective factors for substance use among a sample of tribal members residing on a rural AI reservation with numerous systems-level barriers to recovery and limited access to treatment. By using a CBPR approach and prioritizing trust and transparency with community partners and participants, we were able to successfully recruit our target sample and collect quality data from nearly 200 tribal members who self-identified as having a substance use problem. Strategies for enhancing buy-in and recruiting a community sample are discussed.
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Solar Power to the People: Building Trusting, Lasting Partnerships at United Tribes Technical College
Development of a more sustainable campus energy plan at United Tribes Technical College through the growth, development, and maintenance of an authentic partnership with a startup solar company interested in bringing solar to North Dakota and tribal communities in a meaningful way. This article explores initial campus workshops that led to developing a mobile solar outreach trailer, then to co-authoring a proposal for solar on the Skills Center campus building. Those early interactions built trust and resilience in the partnership that has now led to multiple campus solar installations, work in our tribal communities, and a solar apprenticeship program.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2332318
- PAR ID:
- 10576870
- Editor(s):
- Shreve, Bradley
- Publisher / Repository:
- Tribal College Journal
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Tribal College Journal of American Indian higher education
- Volume:
- 36
- Issue:
- 3
- ISSN:
- 2163-3622
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 40-45
- Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
- Solar Industry Partnerships United Tribes
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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