Supporting Rural And Northern Employment Counsellors

For support I looked to one of the finest models of governing principles and objectives for Aboriginal research, found in the First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey (National Aboriginal Health Organization, 2004). The National Aboriginal Health Organization was a driving partner in the health survey. Brian Schnarch (2004) published an article that dealt with self-determination applied to research. The long-term objectives identified by Schnarch, were the same intended ethical research objectives of my project:

To ensure that all research initiatives remain under the control of First Nations;
To ensure that the statistical data gathered during the process will be available for use by First Nations peoples and their communities and contribute to better health planning;
To promote capacity-building at the community, regional, and national levels;
To ensure an appropriate balance of scientific and cultural credibility; and
To develop a long-term capacity to provide coordination and communication of First Nations health information on a regional basis. (p. 82)

According to Bruce Berg (2006), “Action research is a collaborative approach to research that provides people with the means to take systematic action in an effort to resolve specific problems” (p. 224). In this project, the people who took this systematic action were those people who offer frontline services to job seekers in rural and northern Manitoba. These ECs contributed their positive stories in a participatory manner that extended over several months. Three sets of questions were presented, one through an individual interview and two opportunities to question through focus groups where the participants pooled their experiences in a sharing circle. A talking stick provided a safe and easy process to encourage discussion. The data collection produced transcripts that participants approved in addition to feedback on several drafts of the final report. Privacy issues and all other ethical considerations were adhered to throughout the research process.