Intercultural Stewardship

FOUNDATIONS

The foundation of this collaborative research and development initiative was laid in 2020 with a PaT service delivery pilot project conducted within a quality improvement framework. This effort was spearheaded by Vancouver Island University (VIU) and Island Health, forming what has now become a non-profit called Roots to Thrive.

Drawing on the insights gained from the pilot, and addressing the broader needs of the emerging field of psychedelic-assisted therapy in Canada, VIU launched the Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Graduate Certificate (PaTGC) program in 2022.

In 2023, recognizing the importance of ongoing learning, evaluating impact, and adopting a more culturally responsive approach to research in this rapidly evolving field, VIU approved the Naut sa mawt Collaborative for Psychedelic Research (NCPR) as a research institute. In 2024, in an effort to further decolonize the work, the stewardship of the NCPR was transferred to an Indigenous-led non-profit called the Salish Sea Entheogenic Society.

“Our team has developed and piloted a novel approach to PaT called Roots to Thrive (RTT). Since 2018, the RTT approach was co-developed with Indigenous knowledge holders and provincial authorities, refined in collaboration with hundreds of participants” (Dames, S., et al., 2022, p. 1)

THE COMMUNITY-INFORMED FRAMEWORK 

Building on the foundational work of Vancouver Island University (VIU), Roots to Thrive, and other knowledge translation initiatives in Canada, the cross-cultural Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing) approach guided this research. Coined by Mi’kmaq Elder Albert Marshall in 2004 and adopted by CIHR in 2011, Two-Eyed Seeing encourages “seeing from one eye with the strengths of Indigenous ways of knowing, and from the other eye with the strengths of Western ways of knowing, and using both eyes together” (Bartlett et al., 2012, p. 338).

In 2023, this philosophy informed a Participatory Action Research project conducted by the Naut sa mawt Collaborative for Psychedelic Research (NCPR). The research led to the development of a leadership model and a methodological framework, expanding to a multiple-eyed seeing approach. The model is designed to promote safety through a culturally responsive and fluid learning environment, where knowledge sharing is informed by respectful intentions and agreements; where reconciliation becomes an intentional byproduct of the development process and service delivery offerings.

The recommendations for these models emerged from guidance provided by Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers, insights from scholarly literature on Two-Eyed Seeing and leadership, and input from a diverse group of contributors. A small core group, known as the Seed Group (SG), consisted of six representatives holding Indigenous perspectives and five holding Western perspectives, supported by additional guest participants during various activities. The primary developer, of mixed ancestry, served as facilitator, mediator, and writer for the process.

The proposal included:

• System mapping analysis: Identifying existing structures, language, routines, and rituals.
• Relationship-building frameworks: Strategies to foster intercultural collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Plans for capacity building: Supporting culturally safe and inclusive research practices.

Research Community System Map and Analysis

The research community’s shared goal was to develop accessible and culturally informed psychedelic-assisted therapies for treatment-resistant conditions such as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Substance Use Disorder (SUD). The initiative sought to address the needs of individuals from diverse sociocultural backgrounds through a balanced integration of Indigenous and Western perspectives.

Information for this work was drawn from:

• The initial research collaborative proposal submitted to VIU approval committees.
• Grant applications developed by collaborators.
• Insights shared during developmental workshops and gatherings.

VIU’s research community is committed to increasing Indigenous membership and participation to achieve a more balanced integration of Western biomedical and Indigenous ways of knowing. This balance is central to the vision of the proposed Psychedelic Medicine Research and Healing Centre. As noted by Dames et al. (2022), “Two-Eyed Seeing has been fruitfully applied to develop and study healthcare programs pursuing decolonization and culturally-sensitive healthcare. The holistic nature of Indigenous ways of knowing is particularly well-suited for the complex relational, emotional, and spiritual experiences induced by psychedelics” (p. 3).

Intercultural Stewardship Model

Table 1 illustrates the influence of Western-structured organizations on the dynamics of the mixed research community. These influences highlight the need for a stewardship model that ensures equitable intercultural collaboration and maintains the integrity of Indigenous ways of knowing within the broader framework.

Figure 1

British Columbia Health Research System Map

Note: Actors are persons, groups, or organizations acting within a system of interest. Stakeholders, on the other hand, are persons, groups, or organizations that are (1) affected by the project, (2) interested in the project, and/or (3) able to affect the project.

Table 1

British Columbia Health Research System stakeholders