Ethical Research Framework

The group discussed the need for a framework that respects and protects Indigenous knowledge while navigating the complexities of the current health system. The group also explored potential goals and priorities, such as contributing to literature, understanding federal and provincial contexts, and working towards either legalization or decriminalization of psychedelic substances. The group also acknowledged the necessity of understanding and incorporating Indigenous research ethics.

• Indigenous Research Ethics: Need for a structure and board that can address research ethics in an indigenous context. This board would be responsible for reviewing and addressing relevant issues.

• Advocacy for Psychedelics: Potential for the NCPR to advocate for changes to the current health system's approach to psychedelics. It was suggested that this could be a new way to reform parts of the structure.

• Infrastructure: Possibility of setting up an Indigenous Research Ethics Board and a separate funding agency for psychedelic studies to provide an alternative to existing structures.

Recommendations:

The group agreed that the center should aim to be a leader in setting standards for psychedelic research, particularly in terms of respecting and incorporating Indigenous knowledge and research ethics. There was also recognition of the challenges and complexities in navigating the current health system and a call for advocacy in reforming structures to suit the unique nature of psychedelic substances.

This call focused on incorporating Indigenous viewpoints into psychedelic research and therapy. Participants aimed to create a ‘Third Space’ emphasizing cultural safety, community involvement, and ethical aspects. The discussion highlighted the importance of respecting Indigenous methodologies, power dynamics, reciprocity, and relationship building.

Strategic Goals: The objective is to create a safe environment for integrating Indigenous perspectives into psychedelic research, avoiding colonial dynamics, and fostering a culturally sensitive approach.

Context Analysis: Attendees identified a gap in psychedelic research, which is mainly influenced by Western methods, and expressed the need for Indigenous inclusion. They recognized the need for patience and careful engagement due to the sensitive nature of the work.

Competitive Landscape: Although psychedelic research is expanding, Indigenous representation is lacking. The group aims to address this by creating a dialogue and collaboration space that values Indigenous knowledge.

Action Plan:

• - Identify and review indigenous methodologies relevant to psychedelic research and therapy 

• - Develop protocols for relationship building and reciprocal accountability - 

• - Create strategies for respectful community engagement and inclusion of indigenous voices

• - Continually reflect on and address power dynamics and potential inequities in the research process

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Key Considerations

The team highlighted the significance of patience and engagement in fostering a culturally safe environment. They acknowledged the need for fair compensation for Indigenous participants, respect for diverse worldviews, and mutual responsibility in the research process.

A concept of "ancestral leadership" was discussed, focusing on creating long-term, generational benefits rather than immediate results. The team aims to continue exploring Indigenous methodologies for psychedelic research and therapy, and how to effectively communicate their work to wider academic and policy circles.

A strong interest was shown in understanding Indigenous methodologies, emphasizing a shift from a purely medical perspective to a more inclusive, Indigenous-informed approach. The team recognized possible challenges this could bring in terms of policy advocacy and alignment with established health research systems.

The team is committed to creating a respectful, inclusive space that respects Indigenous knowledge. They are mindful of potential colonial dynamics in the research process and are committed to respecting and valifying Indigenous perspectives and addressing the needs of their communities.

The call examined multiple research methodologies that can support the NCPR efforts for the incorporation of Indigenous methodologies into the NCPR research. 

The group dived into the idea of a "third space" as a secure environment for Indigenous knowledge growth. The discussion focused on aspects required for this space, the significance of spirituality and metaphysics in comprehending plant-based medicines, and the research work's impact on Indigenous communities.

• Research framework goals: The research's primary aim is to establish a respectful and safe environment for the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge in the NCPR research process. The Third Space will be used to co-develop new models and methodologies derived from Indigenous traditions and knowledge. The research intends to ensure that Indigenous methodologies are at the heart of the research process.
• Challenges and Concerns: The group discussed potential hurdles, including respecting unique methodologies of each culture, the risk of cultural appropriation, and the necessity of obtaining explicit permission to use specific cultural methodologies. Concerns were voiced about potential knowledge misuse and the need to ensure the research benefits are equitably distributed.

Additional Notes

The group discussed various resources and research methodologies that could guide the creation of the Third Space and the integration of Indigenous knowledge into the research process. Suggestions included community-based participatory research, post-structuralism, and other oral traditions and cosmologies. The group agreed to share and review these resources in future meetings.

Articles on third space and inclusion of ancestors and spirits into research:

Third space as we understand it in the NCPR. 

Third space theory and cultural ID. 

How do we include plants and ancestors in the research / article Ubuntu

This meeting was held to discuss the culmination of the process aimed at the design and development of a research methodology for the Nawt sa mawt Centre for Psychedelic Research, based on cultural paradigms and community values. After consulting the diverse resources shared in previous meetings Indigenous methodologies where selected and incorporated to a proposal presented in the following diagram: 

Figure 2

Ethical Research framework proposal

Recommendations to improve the framework

Ethics: The NCPR will create a Wisdom Council to take care of ethical aspects, and integrate it into the Leadership framework, composed of representatives from different cultures, that will provide oversight to ensure that the ethics and Indigenous Cultural Safety will be respected. The people who will be part of this council should be somehow related to the entheogenic or psychedelic field. Also should include people actively involved on intercultural collaboration frameworks.

Research Methodology: Involves the creation of a "Third Space" inside which everything will happen.  This involves a team of listeners from the community who work in roles such as learner, seer, and includer, among others. These listeners are the guardians of the third space, where knowledge ceremonies occur. The methodology emphasizes the importance of change as part of the research process and draws on various theories such as intersectionality, relationality, and decolonization.

Feedback and Discussion: 

• Participants appreciated the efforts invested in creating the framework and methodology, discussing its potential applications across various communities and cultures. 

• They highlighted the need for adaptability of the framework to different cultural contexts. 

• Questions arose regarding its application in communities without a cultural link to this type of healing work, suggesting the development of comprehensive, portable training modules with a designated liaison for each role. 

• The developed framework and methodology are considered a foundation for many future activities. Participants were excited and grateful to be part of the process, acknowledging its community-centric, spirit-filled nature that unifies the group. The creation of this framework, a collective endeavor, has been grounded in respect for traditional knowledge and a dedication to ethical research practices.

During this meeting, we examined the final draft of the Research Framework. Our objective is to cultivate a respectful and cooperative research practice that aligns with the customs and values of the Indigenous communities with whom the NCPR will be partnering. Participants acknowledged that the center's funding and operations needs to incorporate these principles, stressing the need for clear legal contracts and lasting financial strategies.

Developing strong ties with local communities, acknowledging their cultural and spiritual traditions, and incorporating their viewpoints into the research structure is essential. Additionally, the participants emphasized the importance of educational programs, deep listening, and the principle of reciprocity when conducting research within Indigenous communities. Additionally, the group emphasized the importance of upholding ethical standards and ensuring community participation throughout the entire research process.

Recommendations and next steps

The framework success depends on the Listeners Community roles. These roles need to be further developed and individuals must be trained to fulfill them. There needs to be a structured approach for the formation of the Listeners Community. A specific team and funding must be gathered for this, that is clearly the next step to follow. Diverse aspects and recommendations where provided as a start point:

• These roles should emphasize cultural sensitivity and Indigenous Cultural Safety (ICS) when engaging with communities, understanding and respecting cultural protocols and spirituality.

• In order to facilitate knowledge transfer and maintain consistency across multiple research projects, these roles can be adapted accordingly to different research teams.

• Building a relationship with the local nations, understanding their specific needs and methodologies, is fundamental. Research must be undertaken under a collaborative approach.

• Healthy relationships are fundamental in providing quality service.

• Partner organizations will need to map the existing system and adapt the model accordingly, underscoring the importance of resilience and flexibility. 

• Elder Geraldine's teachings and the local community wisdom are to be considered in all collaborations. The group highlighted the importance of creating a training program that helps.

• Focus on building relationships and ethical engagement with the community, rather than attempting to replicate their cultural knowledge. 

• Formal initiation process to thoroughly understand and engage with the spiritual knowledge within the community's spiritual leaders.

• To avoid cultural appropriation, use storytelling that comes from one’s individual intersection. When sharing cultural knowledge that belongs to a specific community,  approval from their authorities is recommended.

• Input of community members is fundamental in all stages of research.

• Involving the community in research initiatives and maintaining ethical practices, particularly when studying spiritual traditions.

• Healthy relationships are fundamental in providing quality service.

• Partner organizations will need to map the existing system and adapt the model accordingly, underscoring the importance of resilience and flexibility. 

• Create a specific, community-focused training for researchers willing to engage with the NCPR and be part of the Listeners Community. This program will train people to observe, and understand the unique needs and values of each community, considering that there will be multiple research projects happening. Some considerations for the training:

• Given the complexities of incorporating various ancestral traditions into one model, the training should be focused on facilitating methods for the direct participation of  members of the community such as Knowledge Keepers or Elders.

• Relationship building protocols, and reciprocity should be included. 

• Policy, ICS existing training learning journeys.

• Create an experiential learning approach, similar to an apprenticeship program, to understand and engage with the community's spiritual leaders. 

Finances & Reciprocity:

• Calculate center's operations cost, include potential funding sources and the possibility of becoming a nonprofit organization. 

• Address the legal agreements and governing structures that are essential for the sustainability and legitimacy of the center's activities.

• Consent and agreements to protect the data and research participants.

• Financial and legal implications of their research initiatives. 

• Funding for the center, these are the income pathways foreseen:

• Grants for specific research projects are important. 

• Corporate sponsorship per research, provided it aligns with the values and ethical standards of the NCPR.