Doing It Right: Evaluation in First Nations and Inuit Communities

Meaningful evaluation is hard work. It means more than just crunching numbers and summarizing interviews.  It requires patience, respect, and a willingness to be flexible in scope and approach in order to get at what's really happening within an organization, a program or a project.  And when working with First Nation and Inuit stakeholders, this can be challenging.

Over the last few years Stonecircle and Aarluk have been developing a reputation for their ability to connect with communities and come away with real results. Earlier this week Jennifer David and Greg Smith were invited to talk about their approach. 


The Evaluation Advisory Committee of the Children and Youth division of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Health Canada invited Jennifer and Greg to make a presentation on one of their current projects,a special study of the Aboriginal Head Start on Reserve Special Study of Language and Culture. The project is a complex one, involving multiple communities in several regions of Canada. But it's been going extremely well, yielding excellent data and high levels of participation.

And that, according to Jennifer and Greg, has a lot to do with respect for the community at every stage of the project. Some of the tips they shared:

• Engage everyone, including the community, in the planning process as early as possible. Not only is it respectful, but it makes good practical sense; informed community members can point out pitfalls or scheduling issues (never plan meetings during Goose Break!)
• When doing evaluations with First Nations, identify and then follow cultural and research protocols. Inform Chief and Council about your project and your schedule, and and be willing to follow whatever process or protocol is involved before entering a community.
• Build community capacity by hiring local researchers or fieldworkers to work alongside you as translators, logistical coordinators or researchers. When possible, build a training component into the project so that your project actually increases the human capital in the community.
• Ensure adequate time and budget contingencies. Many rural and remote First Nations (and Inuit communities even more so!), require extensive travel. Cancellations and delays, particularly due to weather, are the norm, rather than the exception. If your project plan and budget don't take that into account, you may be forced to cut important steps as the project costs mount and time runs short.
• Give communities ample opportunity to provide meaningful feedback and input, and allow them to validate your research before incorporating it into a regional or national report.

It can all be summed up in one simple concept: show respect, and allow the community to determine its own level of interest, involvement and participation.