Maintaining the integrity of Indigenous knowledge: sharing Metis knowing through mixed methods

Working collaboratively with Indigenous populations necessitates a focus on partnerships at the core of sharing, implementing and disseminating Indigenous knowledge. The Tri-Council Policy Statement (CIHR, 2010) notes that respectful, reciprocal and ethical research standards must be applied to research with Indigenous communities. Métis collaborators identified that relationships must be regarded as the central focus of sharing Metis knowledge. Utilizing an investigation on the health benefits of participating in cultural activities, specifically harvesting, we demonstrate how applying mixed methods meets and informs these research standards and creates a unique, participatory Indigenous research method relevant for Métis people. Building from these research standards, this collaboration developed a method of investigation that shares Indigenous knowledge of population health. This method promotes a sustainable research relationship, moving beyond fragmented research projects and making relational connections between people, data sources and findings.