Data and evaluation

We believe that data helps us tell the story of the work we do every day; autonomy and control over how that story is created and shared are important to us.

Our Data Equity Values:

• We expect community participation and engagement in all stages of research. 
• Data collection directly involving our communities should not proceed without clear and informed consent.
• Opportunities should be provided for communities to express their interests and concerns, with explicit invitations to participate in research activities, program planning, implementation, and evaluation. 
• Researchers have a special responsibility to communicate findings and create opportunities for discussion about how data will be used. Sometimes, by the time information is returned to our communities, it is no longer useful or relevant to us. 
• Decisions about how data are used to inform health programs and practice should be guided by communities.  
• Data we are already collecting in our communities has value, and we want that to be recognized and honored/respected by our partners in wellness work.
• Different forms of data collection (e.g., storytelling) need to be recognized, valued, and included alongside statewide data collection and health surveillance systems.  
• Indigenous cultural knowledge should be respected, supported, and recognized as expert knowledge. 
• Knowledge sovereignty and the Indigenization of knowledge are two key aspects of improving relationships between Tribal and research communities (Kawerak Knowledge and Research Sovereignty Workshop report: https://kawerak.org/download/kawerak-knowledge-and-research-sovereignty-ksi-workshop-report/). Additional related resources available here: https://www.arcus.org/resources/northern-communities
• “Knowledge sovereignty means that Tribal communities have control over the documentation and production of knowledge (such as through research activities) which relates to Alaska Native people and the resources they steward and depend on.”
• We value collaboration and recognize that much of our work in prevention is relationship-based, requiring a foundation of trust and respect. This is something we need to work on.