case studies in tribal data collection and use - National Indian Child ...

The preceding scenario points to anthropologists and historians as professionals involved in theexploitation of American Indians/Alaska Natives for research purposes. Professionals who workspecifically with children, youth, and families also experience challenges.Social workers, particularly those from outside the Native community, are facedwith difficult challenges when trying to establish trusting relationships withNative People (Broken Nose, 1992). Likewise, researchers are often viewednegatively in Native communities. Native people have often been exploited. Inthe past researchers have come in from the outside to study Native people andto gather data. Frequently Native communities have not been informed of thestudy findings nor have they experienced the benefits of the research. Fear ofexploitation has led many Native peoples to avoid involvement in researchprojects. (Native American Leadership Commission on Health and AIDS, 1994).(Weaver, 1997, p. 7)This historical overview has recalled the past experience of American Indians/Alaska Natives as passiveresearch subjects. In these cases, once data were collected, researchers typically exited the communityand were seldom heard from again. Especially problematic from the viewpoint of the AmericanIndian/Alaska Native communities was that their participation in the numerous studies yielded noapparent benefits to themselves, their tribes, or their communities.Pursuit of Science vs. Needs of Tribes: American Indians/Alaska Natives Do Not Benefitfrom ResearchA significant part of the agenda of most researchers and scholars has to do with promotion and tenure, aprocess that requires establishing a research record that impresses their academic peers. Most often,the scientific method, a method imported from Germany that emphasizes the power of objectivity andobservation, is employed in the pursuit of science (Crazy Bull, 1997a):Since contact, non-Indians have been fascinated with American Indians, andthey continue to explore almost every aspect of Indians’ cultures andphysiologies. Library shelves contain vast collections of books with AmericanIndian themes. The majority of books and articles, in addition to movies,television shows, and documentaries, have been written and produced by non-Indians (some of whom attempt to pass themselves off as Indians) who havebeen educated and trained to conduct research by other non-Indians.Although most non-Indian scholars respect the peoples and cultures theystudy, many do not. Intrusive research of American Indians and publication ofinformation that tribes do not wish disseminated to the general public constitutea major source of interracial conflict. Dissension between those who desire toCase Studies in Tribal Data Collection and UseNational Indian Child Welfare Association18