In general, Knowledge Translation (KT) is the process of applying theoretical knowledge for practical purposes. The Canadian government is currently seeking to utilize academic research to enact effective healthcare reforms to address the ethnic disparities in Canadian healthcare, particularly pertaining to Aboriginals. This process has come to be known as Aboriginal KT (Canadian Institutes of Health Research [CIHR], 2009). The government recognizes that the indigenous people of Canada have a rich cultural tradition of sharing knowledge that should be taken into account in policy-making. However, conducting Aboriginal KT raises specific ethical concerns that require thorough consideration.
The first principle of conducting research within the Aboriginal context is respect. It is important to understand that Aboriginal knowledge has mostly been transmitted from one generation to another through oral traditions based on personal experience, and this is not in any inferior to science-based Western research. The strength and relevance of this time-tested knowledge system should be fully acknowledged by researchers and analyzed on its own grounds (CIHR, 2009). Researchers need to take community context into account because imposing Western standards runs the risk of further marginalizing Aboriginal traditions and perpetuating health disparities.
Secondly, Aboriginal people should be involved in all aspects of data collection and policy-making (CIHR, 2009). The traditional model involves researchers publishing results in an academic journal and then persuading policy-makers of their importance without ever directly engaging the target population. Instead, researchers should partner with Aboriginal communities for the entire duration of the research and policy process (CIHR, 2009). This allows them to take advantage of existing kinship networks, talking circles, and other methods of sharing knowledge within the Aboriginal communities themselves to formulate a more relevant and comprehensive “insider’s” view.
In conclusion, Aboriginal KT is necessary to address disparities within the Canadian healthcare system but also has a few ethical concerns that should be taken into account. Firstly, it is important to respect Aboriginal types and sources of knowledge, even if they are different from Western standards. KT should also integrate Aboriginal peoples themselves into every stage of data collection and policy-making to improve relevancy and increase community knowledge. Ultimately, these measures will improve the efficacy of research-based policy and hopefully reduce health inequities.
References
Estey, E., Smylie, J., & Macaulay, A. (2009). Aboriginal knowledge translation: Understanding and respecting the distinct needs of Aboriginal communities in research. Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), 3-5.