Abstract
Indigenous food sovereignty and security are essential to Indigenous health and cultural perpetuity. Revitalization of traditional foodways can counteract the negative impacts of colonial food practices and policies on the health of Indigenous peoples. A mixed methods survey was conducted to describe the data needs of people working in Indigenous nutrition related fields. Results showed that nutrition education, academic scholarship, and community projects were the most frequently used data categories. With improved access, projects-in-progress and raw data would be utilized for reference and staying current. The most common barrier was not knowing where or how to access information. Raw research data, research, projects-in-progress, and tribal policy were the most difficult to access. The study concludes that an online Food Wisdom Repository can contribute to health equity by improving access to Indigenous knowledge and wise practices, cultivating culturally appropriate data sharing, and sustaining and extending current work in the field.
Keywords
. . . the denial of the right to food for Indigenous peoples not only denies us our physical survival, but also denies us our social organization, our cultures, traditions, languages, spirituality, sovereignty, and total identity; it is a denial of our collective indigenous existence. (The Declaration of Atitlán: Indigenous Peoples’ Global Consultation on the Right to Food, 2002)
Introduction
As represented in the above quote, kincentric ecology is a term describing the reciprocal relationship between Indigenous peoples and the natural environment as an “extended ecological family that shares ancestry and origins” including foods (Salmón, 2000, p. 1332). As Hidatsa seed keeper, Buffalo Bird Woman, explained, “We cared for our corn . . . as we would care for a child; for we Indian people loved our gardens, just as a mother loves her children” (Maxi’diwiac [Buffalo Bird Woman], 2009). Indigenous knowledge (IK) and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) related to foodways, food systems, and nutrition emerged from these kincentric ecologies and were passed from generation to generation by the Indigenous communities. All the while this intergenerational sharing of knowledge preserved food traditions, evolved food practices as new challenges arose, and generated new food systems knowledge. The present Indigenous food systems encompass language, spirituality, medicines, respect for life, and the interconnectedness of all things (Hunn, 1993; Ruelle, 2017; Satterfield et al., 2007). This paper will briefly address how colonialism has disrupted Indigenous food systems and identify which types of data might be useful to share online in order to support Indigenous food wellness, communal sharing, and revitalization.
Colonialism and Indigenous Food
Colonization, disrupted, and, in some cases, destroyed Indigenous food systems through dispossession of lands and resources. Furthermore Indigenous peoples’ ability to govern their food systems was eroded by governmental policies that sought to terminate tribal sovereignty, outlaw traditional health care practices, and assimilate Indigenous peoples’ minds, spirits, and bodies through boarding schools and adoption policies (Adelson, 2000; Duran & Duran, 1995; Moorehead et al., 2015; Waldram, 2014; Walters et al., 2011). Today, Indigenous groups across the globe continue to confront nutritional challenges and diet-related diseases. These ongoing food struggles remain deeply rooted in colonialism and its systemic elevation of settlers’ rights over Indigenous people’s rights to self-determination.
The intergenerational effects of Colonization, with the undermining of Indigenous culture and self-determination, have contributed to health disparities associated with food-related chronic diseases. One such effect has been the rise of food insecurities, or not having access to affordable and nutritious foods (Skinner et al., 2016). Indigenous peoples in the United States have 20% greater odds of food insecurity than their White counterparts (Jernigan et al., 2017). In turn, food insecurity has been associated with food-related chronic diseases of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes (Seligman et al., 2010). Diabetes type II remains a pressing issue among communities as Indigenous people have the highest prevalence of diabetes at 15.1% compared with non-Hispanic Whites at 7.4% (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). Additionally, heart disease remains a leading cause of death for Indigenous persons in the United States (Veazie et al., 2014). Yet, food insecurity is only one colonial effect that has given rise to health disparities among Indigenous peoples. Diabetes Type II, for example, has been linked to decades of colonialism, oppression, and related food trauma (Satterfield et al., 2016). Furthermore, the inability to practice Indigenous culture, language, tribal ecological knoweldge, and related stressors have been associated with increases in diabetes type II, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity rates (Czyzewski, 2011; Jennings et al., 2018; Oster et al., 2014; Rice et al., 2016; Satterfield et al., 2016). Increasingly, Indigenous communities have begun to drive research in identifying cultural practices that may help mitigate chronic disease risks. For instance, Oster and colleagues (2014) found that Alberta First Nations with higher use of Indigenous language (as a measure of cultural continuity) had significantly lower diabetes prevalence, after adjustment for socio-economic factors. Additionally, Indigenous communities are guiding health interventions to incorporate cutlurally-based practices to improve health and well-being (Ruelle, 2017; Satterfield et al., 2016). This includes revitalizing their foodways, such as with reestablishing gardening, even in urban areas (Jennings, et al., 2018; Jennings et al., 2020; Johnson-Jennings et al., 2020) and instituting community driven, food sharing (Skinner et al., 2013). In doing so, Indigenous nations are exercising food sovereignty, which seeks to restore a tribe’s “right to control its food production, food quality, and food distribution” (Mihesuah & Hoover, 2019, p. 95). Traditional Indigenous foodways have further been incorporated into recent cultural and political revitalization efforts that may improve health (Hill, 2017).
Sharing of Indigenous food knowledge
Driving Indigenous communities’ restoration and promotion of Indigenous food systems has been the ability to share and access these knowledges. This sharing has included documenting food sovereignty efforts with others and promoting cultural preservation and environmental sustainability; all of which have had a positive impact on Indigenous health (Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative, 2015). National programs have also begun to support Indigenous community needs and dissemination of culturally specific programs addressing diabetes and obesity, such as with the IHS Special Diabetes Program for Indians (Indian Health Service, 2017) and the CDC Native Diabetes Wellness Program (Wesner & Native Diabetes Wellness Program, 2015). Satterfield and colleagues (2016) argue that, “Respecting and protecting traditional ecological knowledge may be one of the most effective ways to prevent the tidal wave of diabetes across the globe” (p. 166). Yet due to varying colonization and oppression, not all Indigenous communities have access to this information, which could benefit their health efforts.
Even though many Indigenous communities are succesfully revitalizing their traditional and healthy food practices, barriers to dissemination remain (Satterfield et al., 2016). Consequently, there is a critical need for improved knowledge dissemination and sharing of practices in Indigenous communities that address such health inequities. In an effort to decrease the gap between the existence of dispersed, disconnected, and/or difficult to access information and its utilization, Indigenous communities have identified the need for an online collection of information to restore and support Indigenous health and wellness through food and nutrition initiatives (Johnson-Jennings et al., 2019). However, a need remains to identify which specific data would be helpful to developing an online food practices repository.
The authors chose to identify which data the community deemed important to access and share, based on feedback from the community and our advisors (see Johnson-Jennings et al., 2019). Indigenous scholars argue that wise practices are vital to cultivating health equity (Clark, 2016; Johnson-Jennings et al., 2019). Wesley-Esquimaux and Calliou (2010) define wise practices as “locally-appropriate actions, tools, principles or decisions that contribute significantly to the development of sustainable and equitable social conditions” (p. 19). Likewise, Petrucka and colleagues (2016) describe wise practices as, “those which are inclusive, locally relevant, sustainable, respectful, flexible, pragmatic, and encompassing of all worldviews, and which consider historical, societal, cultural, and environmental factors” (p. 57). Hence, the authors sought to build a repository that included data identified as important to the Indigenous community and not focus on western “best practices” alone.
As set out by The Wharerata Declaration (Sones et al., 2010), the well-being of Indigenous people depends on valuing Indigenous perspectives as equally relevant to clinical perspectives; hence, in order to better balance wise practices and clinical perspectives, needs must first be adequately explored. Therefore the authors, Dr. Johnson-Jennings (Choctaw) who is the Primary Investigator (PI), Dr. Jennings (Sac and Fox and Quapaw) who is the Co-Principal Investigator (CoPI), and Dr. Little (ally) who is the Co-investigator (Co-I) led this study, which sought to obtain potential end users’ feedback regarding developing an online repository based on their prior research. The positionalities of the researchers include Dr. Jennings being an Indigenous health educator and professor from the Anishinaabe Sac and Fox tribe as well as the Dhegihan Sioux Quapaw tribe. Dr. Johnson-Jennings is a Choctaw Nation Indigenous clinical health psychologist, professor, and research center director. Both Dr.s Johnson-Jennings and Jennings have decades of experience engaging with Indigenous communities, organizations, and clinics across the USA, New Zealand, and Canada and co-developing research projects. Mr. Koushik Paul who is Indigenous (Manipuri) with several years experience working with Indigenous communities in health research served as a research assistant for this paper. Dr. Little is a White ally, registered nurse, health educator, and aprofessor who has worked with Indigenous groups in food and health over the years.
The purpose of this study was to investigate existing—and future information needs of people working in the field of Indigenous food, nutrition, health, and wellness. Results will be used to tailor an online repository to support potential users.
Methods
The feasibility, usefulness, and community acceptance for implementation of an online Food Wisdom Repository (Repository) was explored through an 11-item online mixed methods survey (Qualtrics). Items included multiple-choice and short answers questions pertaining to Indigenous food and nutritional health/wellness. Quantitative data were collected to obtain breadth of information types and access that would meet the needs of end users and support the successful implementation of a repository. Qualitative data were collected to obtain depth of understanding about participants’ rationale and uses for specific information types, as well as factors affecting repository implementation (see Creswell & Clark, 2011; Teddlie & Tashakkori, 2003). The University of Minnesota Institutional Review Board deemed the survey exempt.
Criterion and snowball sampling were used to narrow the range of variation and to focus on similarities of potential end users. Inclusion criteria included individuals who were especially knowledgeable about or experienced with the phenomenon of IK and food wisdom. Prospective participants were identified as Indigenous people with knowledge of Indigenous food ways, as well as Indigenous and non-Indigenous people working in the field of Indigenous food, nutrition, health, and wellness. While criterion sampling may not capture the experiences of all persons playing other roles in Indigenous food ways—the purpose of this study was to investigate existing and future information/data needs of people working in the field of Indigenous food, nutrition, health, and wellness. Snowball sampling was employed to identify participants who met the criteria and know people who also met the criteria (Palinkas et al., 2015). This approach is particularly important in Indigenous communities where distrust of Western research is present and decolonizing approaches are preferred (Smith, 1999).
The Qualtrics survey link was distributed through email, social media, flyers, and in person. Recipients were encouraged to share the survey link with other prospective participants. The Research for Indigenous Community Health center (RICH) email list contains approximately 350 addresses. Eleven advisory council members shared the survey through their email lists. The survey link was posted on the RICH Facebook page (588 followers) and through researchers’ Facebook pages (approximately 1,000 followers). Not all of these recipients met criteria and were screened accordingly. The RICH center tabled at the 2017 Native Nutrition conference, which is attended by approximately 500 participants from 37 states, 4 Canadian provinces, as well as Mexico and New Zealand; 60% of attendees were Native American, representing dozens of tribes. Recruitment flyers were available as were iPads for immediate survey completion.
Data analysis
Survey questions asked about 12 types of information (published academic scholarship; government or non-profit research reports; research projects-in-progress; raw research data; conferences, summits, or workshop materials; training materials; nutrition education/curriculum materials; health and wellness programing; community projects; tribal policy; state or federal policy; and funding sources). All of the multiple-choice questions allowed respondents to select all answers that applied. In addition, participants were asked how they currently accessed these types of information, which types of information were easy or difficult to access, barriers to access, and preferred methods of accessing information if barriers were resolved. Descriptive statistics were calculated using SPSS for Mac (IBM Corp, 2013).
Three short answers questions collected text data regarding how respondents currently used information and how they would use it if it were more readily accessible. Consensual qualitative analysis methods were used (Hill et al., 1997). Short answers data were exported to Excel and hand coded and categorized by three of the authors and a fourth audited results for consistency. Differences were resolved through discussion.
Results
Survey participants
The majority of survey participants (n = 150) performed the following types of work (paid or volunteered) in areas that related to Indigenous food, nutrition, or health/wellness: nutrition and health education (19.7%); food systems or food sovereignty (12.3%); research (12.1%); project/program direction, management, or coordination (11%); and teaching (11%). Participants served a variety of constituencies including tribal governments (18.9%), community-based reservation or rural projects or organizations (17%), regional or national non-profit organizations (14.3%), and non-tribal college or university (13.9%). Most of the survey participants (n = 150) worked in the Great Lakes/Midwest (46.6%) region (Table 1).
Participant characteristics (select all that apply).
Emerging themes
How participants currently use and will use information in the future
Twelve themes emerged from participant text answers regarding how they use or will use this information in the future, which included the following: (1) in the community, (2) for education, (3) for food systems or sovereignty work, (4) for use in health and wellness, (5) for information sharing, (6) to build partnerships, (7) for policy and advocacy, (8) for program development, (9) to reference/stay current, (10) to conduct research, (11) for expansion of programs, and (12) for sustainability of existing programs. The last two, expansion and sustainability were endorsed only in regards to the need to access funding information with improved access. The two most commonly endorsed use of current-information were for nutrition education/curriculum materials and had the major themes of using this information for education and for program development. This was followed by the need for accessing published academic scholarship, the need to use this information to reference/stay current, then for education, and lastly for research. Participants noted the least need for raw research data, with the most common theme of needing this for information sharing.
Current uses of information
Participants logged over 460 comments for the short answer question, How do you use the [12 types of information] in your work? The largest number of comments about current use of information types were, in decreasing order, for nutrition education materials; published academic scholarship; community projects; health and wellness programs; conferences, summits, or workshops; government or non-profit research reports; training materials; state or federal policy; funding sources; tribal policy; research projects-in-progress and finally raw research data.
When all comments were considered together the most frequent themes were (1) education, (2) information sharing, and (3) reference/staying current. Due to the large volume of data collected, this article concentrates on types of information that received the most comments and the themes with the highest and lowest frequencies. Future papers will address additional findings.
Nutrition education/curriculum material (type): education and program development (themes)
Nutrition education information drew the most comments for types of information used (Table 2). Education arose as the leading theme in how this information is used. Participants referenced using nutritional materials for both formal and informal education.
Themes for current and proposed high and low use of information types.
The groups they served included youth, students, parents, clients, patients, program participants, professional students (e.g., nursing and public health), community members, and the public. Education, training, and teaching took place in community settings and through classes and programs like diabetes prevention education, university extension health programming and included individual and group presentations, as well as trainings and workshops. One participant summarized using nutrition educational materials, “to demonstrate, teach, influence and educate individuals clients, parents, mentors, and students about the benefits of good, healthy nutrition in preventing and/or controlling chronic diseases.”
Second, participants used nutrition/education material for program development. Participants described using this type of information to develop and improve Indigenous community programming; including learning from the experience of others, technical assistance for specific curricula, and implementing health improvement strategies that align with local priorities to address chronic disease. Participants reported that most program development centered on children, mother, and parent groups. One respondent stated that nutrition materials were used to help “program participants [about] how to improve their health through healthier eating.” Another participant stressed the importance of using research and evidence-based materials and teaching tools in health programs.
Published academic scholarship (type): references/staying current, education and research (themes)
Participants endorsed academic scholarship as the second most common type of information in current use (Table 2). Respondents used academic scholarship for general reference, to “integrate it” with personal “thought processes,” and to increase understanding of specific knowledge (i.e., plant biochemistry).
Academic scholarship was also used to generate ideas, guide and inform current and new projects (e.g., program development, implementation, and evaluation) as well as provide direction for current work and planning processes. Furthermore, academic evidence was used to determine “best practices,” to craft proposals, presentations, and publications and to inspire new research. Participants also used academic scholarship for education/teaching activities (e.g., curriculum, teaching, creating materials, lectures, presentations, and workshops). Finally, academic scholarship was used in a number of ways including using literature reviews to ground research questions, to guide study design, to hone research methods, and craft hypotheses. Feasibility studies, food surveys and researching traditional plants, medicines and foods were also mentioned as being useful.
Raw research data (type): information sharing (themes)
Raw research data received the fewest number of comments; information sharing arose as the major use/theme and took a number of forms. Raw data were shared with others who showed interest in healthy foods development. It was used to guide clinical advice, to select suitable application toward health care and publication. One respondent commented that their raw research data use focused on data analysis and academic diffusion.
Access to information
Participants were asked to identify which types of information were—and were not easy to access (Figure 1). The easiest types of information to access were those about conferences, summits, or workshops (64.6%), followed by nutrition education materials (12.9%) and health/wellness programs (10.7%). By far, the most preferred mode of access to information was through websites and the least preferred was through offline databases or files. Information that was not easy to access included raw research data (14.4%), information about research projects-in-progress (12.7%), tribal policy (9.8%), and training materials (9%).
Ease of access to 12 types of information.
The factor that made it most difficult for respondents to access different types of information included not knowing where or how to access information (research projects-in-progress, 16%; and raw research data, 14.1%). Limited time was also reported as a barrier to accessing information (information about research projects-in-progress, 10.8%; government or non-profit research reports, 10.2%). For some participants restricted access was a barrier to accessing raw research data (23.6%) and published academic scholarship (13.8%). While cost was less reported, training materials (19.2%) and raw research data (15%) were most affected. Internet access was by far the least common barrier.
Uses of information if access improved
In total, 400 comments were submitted for the short answer question: How would you use [12 types of information] in your work if you could access it more easily? The largest number of comments about potential use of information with improved access included, in decreasing order, raw research data, research projects-in-progress, tribal policy, government or non-profit research reports, training materials, published academic scholarship, funding sources, nutrition education, community projects, health and wellness programs, state or federal policy, and finally, conferences, summits, or workshops.
The themes that emerged from text answers included community, education, food, health and wellness, information sharing, partnerships, public health, policy and advocacy, program development, reference materials/staying current, and research. Two additional themes arose regarding use of funding resources if they were easier to access: funding, expansion and sustainability (Table 2).
Projects-in-progress (type): reference/staying current, partnerships, education (themes)
Respondents indicated that if they had better access to information about projects-in-progress, they would use it for reference/staying current, building partnerships, and education. Improved access would improve respondents’ understanding of the current scope of existing, new, and upcoming projects as well as research trends, impacts, and needs in Indigenous communities. Better access would make it possible to see what is working and avoid replicating less than optimal results. For instance, a respondent indicated, “this information would inform how we use our resources in future nutritional projects with our seed collections.” Furthermore, respondents would use information about projects-in-progress to generate ideas, inform new directions, provide up to date information to patients, trainees and community members, and for professional development.
Partnerships also emerged as an important theme with regard to better access to projects-in-progress information. One respondent stated they “would look for areas of similar interest [and] approaches that are relevant to our programs.” Comments included a desire to—“collaborate,” “join in,” “participate,” and “develop new partnerships.” Networking was also included with this theme, “to see who is doing what kind of important work,” “follow trends in research,” and “inform research directions.” Respondents would also use projects-in-progress information to guide educational pursuits for the following: self-education, instruction (e.g., nutrition and health classes, workshops, programming for school children), and training trainers.
Raw research data (type): reference/staying current, research, education (themes)
If raw data were easier to access, it would be used most often for references/and staying current. Respondents reported using data to inform proposals, guide ongoing work and “examine health trends in Indian Country.” Comments included “Data provides information and provides a direction on where you want to go and be,” and allows people to “know what works, identify areas that need more work, justify program implementation in my community.” For example, “It’s useful to us to know what people are eating; we’re in a state with a very mixed diet and it’s regional.” Others focused on the need to use data to increase the knowledge base for Indigenous food and nutritional health and wellness.
Second, respondents would use raw data to conduct research. They indicated interest in analyzing primary and secondary data, as well as finding out what tribes need and analyzing data for them. Strategizing, designing, justifying, guiding, developing, and validating research were also included as was learning from other to inform and improve organizational and individual research plans.
Finally, If given better access to raw data, participants stated that they would use it for education to inform patient and community members, to better serve clients by educating coworkers and team members about informed practices, and to support classes and workshops. Raw data could also be used in presentations and reports to support community outreach and to educate funders.
Conference and workshop materials were least difficult to access. Participants mostly endorsed using this type of information for reference and to stay current. Most comments focused on keeping up to date on general knowledge, latest news and projects, and professional development. One person commented that this type of information was used, “as inspiration and examples for writing proposals, doing research and teaching, as well as possible collaborations.”
Funding sources (type): funding, expansion, sustainability (themes)
Unsurprisingly, the major theme for funding sources was funding, followed by the following two themes unique to information about funding source: expansion and sustainability. These two themes did not occur in any of the other current or potential information types. The primary focus for the funding theme was obtaining enough funding to support projects, staff, education materials, and participant incentives for programs as well as continuing policy work. Fundraising was also mentioned. Grant-related tasks included reviewing criteria for grant eligibility, development, writing, and application.
Expanding efforts to meet community needs and to start new classes, programming, and projects as well as more activities to promote health and wellness emerged from comments about funding source information. Examples included starting community gardens, teaching in schools or creating a summer workshop, working with mothers of children below 5 years for obesity prevention, youth nutrition and cooking programs, and education about traditional foods, medicines, and language. Sustainability was another theme unique to funding sources and highlighted the need to “develop more continuity and sustainability in our programs,” ongoing local projects, and policy work.
Discussion
This is one of the first studies to highlight end users’ data needs surrounding Indigenous foodways. This study found that survey participants were avid end users of Indigenous food and nutrition information; they were interested in a broad range of information types and indicated they would use additional information types if data access improved. We found participants’ needs varied by type of information. For example, of the 12 types of information queried, they found it more difficult to access raw research data, information about research projects-in-progress, tribal policy, training materials government or non-profit research, nutrition education materials, and funding sources. Given better access to raw research data, respondents would use it for reference, to stay current and to conduct research. Similarly, for projects-in-progress data, the greatest need was to use it as reference material, and to stay current, as well as to build partnerships and to educate others. An online Indigenous Food Wisdom Repository could address these gaps in data access.
The information needs, barriers, and a near universal preference for online access to information, found in this study strengthen the rationale for creating the digital repository. The Repository could facilitate information exchange among people interested in Indigenous food ways and health. Information sharing ranked in the top three themes for both current and improved access use. This is consistent with an Indigenous worldview, Indigenous epistemologies, and Indigenous science that support sharing information with one another in order to collaborate (Cajete, 2005; Cross, 1997; Deloria, 1999; Kovach, 2009; Mihesuah, 2005; Smith, 1999; Wilson, 2008), further sharing information supersedes secreting it and encourages collaborations and knowledge building.
Overall, we found that Indigenous communities are more likely to share information with other Indigenous communities through online forums. Increasing access to different types of information and sharing it readily across Indian Country is a critical factor in stemming the tide of food-related chronic diseases. The desires to share data with others and increase access are consistent with the UN Secretary-General’s Independent Expert Advisory Group (2014) reports, “Data are the lifeblood of decision-making and the raw material for accountability. Without high-quality data providing the right information on the right trend, at the right time, designing, monitoring and evaluating effective policies becomes almost impossible” (p. 2) as does the sound use of resources.
At the same time, Indigenous communities must be at the forefront in determining culturally valid methods of information gathering, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination (Jennings et al., 2018; Johnson-Jennings et al., 2019; Yap & Yu, 2016). For instance, Hunn (1993) describes as a blueprint for a way of life and Indigenous communities are reticent to share TEK with western systems that do not value it. Historically, non-Indigenous people have colonized Indigenous data, taken what was important to them and omitted what conflicted with their worldviews. Non-Indigenous people have held the power to determine the ways data are selected, recorded, and interpreted. As a consequence, information generally represents the dominant worldview, legal and political system, cultural practice and institutional owners (Battiste, 2005; Handler, 1989; James et al., 2014; Rodriguez-Lonebear, 2016). Through increasing data sovereignty, Indigenous communities can decolonize and reclaim their wise practices around TEK, food and diet information. Indigenous governance and custodianship of information can further generate locally and culturally relevant data to sustain the aspirations, decision-making, innovation, and actions of Indigenous communities (Kukutai & Walter, 2015; Rainie et al., 2017; Walter, 2016; Yap & Yu, 2016).
While TEK is place-specific and transmitted from generation to generation, Indigenous people have a long tradition of adopting new knowledge and practices when they fit the complex web of their existing TEK. Thus, pertinent TEK, innovations, successes, or challenges in the field of Indigenous food, nutrition, health, and wellness can be adopted or adapted for different environments and communities, as deemed culturally appropriate. In addition, information will be shared more effectively if it is done in culturally appropriate ways (e.g., cooperation over competition; Mcguire-Adams, 2017). The Repository is dedicated to employing Indigenous information sharing patterns and methods to meet the needs of our survey participants, their colleagues and communities. The information types explored in our survey and the themes that emerged from participant short answer questions will guide development and content, leading to improved Indigenous health interventions and research. The authors are committed to community ownership and stewardship of the repository, in partnership with academics and others.
Finally, the Repository addresses the greatest barriers to respondents’ ability to access information: not knowing where or how to access information and limited time. This digital repository will provide a common portal for accessing and sharing information in multimedia formats (text, pictures, video, audio); conceivably, a common access point would also shorten time spent searching for information.
Limitations
Study limitations included a lack of prior research on this novel topic. The survey was limited to people with online access and 46.6% of respondents were from the Great Lakes/Midwest region. Finally, self-reported data are limited by the fact that it cannot be independently verified; those who participated may have an invested interest. Future research is planned.
Conclusion
This study drew from current community, health professional, and academic key stakeholders who utilize Indigenous food and nutrition information on a daily basis. Respondents provided extensive data about ways they use and would like to use different types of information to support their work. Emergent themes associated with how participants currently use or would use information given improved access are consistent with food sovereignty, which in turn is necessary for food security, Indigenous health, and cultural perpetuity. An online Repository can contribute to health equity by improving access to IK, information, and wise practices; cultivate culturally appropriate sharing; as well as sustain and extend current work in the field.
Footnotes
Acknowledgements
This project is the result of a gift to the University of Minnesota from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community through the Seeds of Native Health initiative, a national campaign to improve Native American nutrition through capacity building, education, and research. The authors would like to acknowledge their Advisory Council members: Alexandra Adams MD PhD, Joanna Bryant, RN, Sharon Day, Treena Delormier PhD MSc, John Finnegan PhD, Janie Hipp PhD, Harriet Kuhnlein PhD, Marilyn Speedie PhD, Malia Villegas, EdD, Karina Walters PhD, and Karen Weaver. They are grateful for their support and wise guidance. They thank project coordinator, Julie Davis, PhD, for technical expertise and building their prototype; and project staff for user testing, community relations and outreach. They would also like to thank the countless people from countries across the world and from many different walks of life, who graciously shared their time and Indigenous and Tradition Ecological knowledge about grassroots innovations in health promotion in the realm of food and nutrition. Their guidance was valuable in shaping the direction of the repository project.
Declaration of conflicting interests
The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Funding
The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: The authors received funding from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community through the Seeds of Native Health initiative.
