Supporting Indigenous self-determination through institutional readiness for change: Indigenous cultural safety considerations for research administration from the British Columbia Network Environment for Indigenous Health Research

The British Columbia Network Environment for Indigenous Health Research (BC NEIHR) supports self-determination of Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous communities, collectives, and organizations (ICCOs) in health research. Through partnerships with ICCOs, Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers, and external Indigenous and non-Indigenous partner organizations across BC, the BC NEIHR works closely with research administrators to advance self-determination of Indigenous Peoples and ICCOs in health research. To transform the current research environment and uphold Indigenous self-determination, research institutions and administration must build and strengthen culturally safe and meaningful partnerships with Indigenous Peoples and ICCOs. Through the Indigenous Cultural Safety in Research Framework, the BC NEIHR challenges dominant Western colonial environments of research to advance decolonization of all research systems, including research administration. We share considerations for Indigenous cultural safety in research administration, including recommendations that address power imbalances, bridge capacity, and build culturally safe and meaningful relationships within Indigenous health research.