Evolving participation of aboriginal communities in health research ethics review: the impact of the Inuvik workshop.

The International Workshop "Ethical Issues in Health Research among Circumpolar Indigenous Peoples" was held in Inuvik on June 2-3, 1995 (1). Its purpose was to bring together researchers, representatives of aboriginal organizations and First Nations leaders to discuss problems in the current ethical review process and to develop new frameworks which would increase community participation in the research process. The paper summarizes some of the ethical and political issues involved in developing such frameworks.

Determining the feasibility of the Canadian First Nations and Inuit regional (longitudinal) health surveys.

The general framework recommended for the First Nations Regional Health Surveys can be summarized as follows: 1. Currently committed funding from Health Canada and Human Resources Development Canada should be used to develop a framework of regional cohort studies for First Nations and Inuit people in the 10 provinces to generate information on community health and the well-being of children. Indian and Northern Affairs should consider participating on an equal basis in this initiative, as long as program dollars are not compromised, in order to assist First Nations and Inuit communities in the documentation of socioeconomic conditions associated with health and the well-being of children.