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Tribal Nations
Market Research
Tailored consulting and operational solutions for clients looking for ethical and impactful in the Tribal Nations of the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains. Acknowledging the legacy of extractive research, we focus on Indigenous Data Governance and Community-Based Participatory Research principles. This approach turns challenges into opportunities for partnership, self-determination, and benefit.
The Indigenous Data Sovereignty Principle
Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDG) is foundational, recognizing the inherent right of Indigenous Peoples and Nations to govern the collection, ownership, and application of their own data. This framework moves research beyond ethical review of individual subjects to address the collective rights of the Nation itself, ensuring that research empowers self-determination.
Current Research and Market Concerns
Sovereignty, Trust, and Extractive History
Tribal sovereignty dictates all research must first secure formal approval and grant the Nation data control
Operational and Geographic Barriers
Geographic remoteness and sparse infrastructure create significant logistical barriers for data collection and participant retention.
Data Quality and Measurement Deficits
Poor data quality is endemic due to small sample sizes and the failure to track specific Tribal affiliation over simple race.
Market Demand and Socioeconomic Disparities
Research is urgently needed to provide Real-world Evidence for programs addressing the region's highest health and socioeconomic disparities.
Sovereignty, Trust, and Extractive History
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Historical Trauma and Distrust: Generations of economic exploitation, land loss, and systemic violence have created deep-seated distrust toward external research entities. Success requires moving past transactional relationships to genuine, long-term partnerships.
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Lack of Tribal Authority (Extractive Research): The legacy of research conducted on Indigenous Peoples, rather than with them, means most research data does not align with the Tribal Nation's goals or allow them to govern the data lifecycle (Authority to Control—ATC).
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Mandatory Tribal Governance Approval: Any research on Tribal Lands is subject to review by a Tribal Research Review Committee (TRRC) or Tribal Institutional Review Board (IRB). Navigating these distinct judicial and governmental processes is a complex prerequisite to data collection.
Operational and Geographic Barriers
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Remoteness and Retention: The noncontiguous geography and remote nature of many Tribal reservations make data collection, long-term follow-ups, and participant retention significantly challenging.
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Infrastructure and Access Gaps: Difficulties in maintaining contact with participants are compounded by limited infrastructure and potential economic barriers, such as high travel costs or limited access to reliable communication methods in rural settings.
Data Quality and Measurement Deficits
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Small Sample Sizes: Traditional data sets often feature sample sizes for Native American populations that are statistically too small, compromising overall data quality and reliability for program analysis.
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Monolithic Categorization: Federal and external data frequently categorize Native Americans solely by race, failing to capture specific Tribal affiliation. This oversimplifies complex identities and cripples the ability of specific Tribal governments to inform precise policy, resource distribution, or effective program management.
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Culturally Incongruent Measurement: Standardized Western research instruments are often culturally biased, failing to accurately measure outcomes vital to Indigenous well-being, such as cultural connectedness or resilience.
Market Demand and Socioeconomic Disparities
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Public Health Crises: American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) face significant disparities, including the highest rates of low educational attainment, unemployment, poverty, and high rates of premature mortality and deaths from chronic conditions. This drives a critical need for rigorous evaluation of public health programs (e.g., addressing the opioid crisis).
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Economic Development Hurdles: Tribal Nations are pivoting toward conservation economies, sustainable resource management, and Indigenous finance, but they face historical economic constraints like credit access and complex regulatory barriers that require strong, objective evidence (Feasibility Studies) to overcome.
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Self-Governance Validation: Tribes increasingly rely on Program Effectiveness studies to provide evidence that their innovative, self-governed programs are successful, which is crucial for justifying increased funding and advocacy efforts.
Services
Indigenous Groups
Today's environment demands that research also protect your financial and operational assets. Our framework is designed for the high-stakes contexts you face.
Tribe/Nation
Self-Description
Blackfeet (Blackfoot)
The Blackfeet, or Niitsitapi ("Original People"), are an Algonquian-speaking people. They traditionally lived as buffalo hunters and gatherers in the northern Plains. Their society is organized into bands, and they are known for their spiritual connection to the land.
Cheyenne
The Cheyenne, or Tsétsêhéstâhese ("Like-Hearted People"), are an Algonquian-speaking tribe. They migrated to the Plains in the 18th century and became skilled horse warriors and buffalo hunters. Their society is divided into ten bands.