Scientific research among American Indians

Research of various types have been conducted among American Indians since initial contact was made with them by the first foreign settlers to this continent. As with other ethnic groups, American Indians have their own cultures, religions, sets of beliefs. languages, and histories. Similarities of some of these exist among tribes, but vast differences also exist, thus differentiating tribes and making each tribe unique. To varying extent and in varying ways, these are woven into the daily lives of Indians. For the most pan. scientific researchers are non-Indians, and the Indian ways are unfamiliar to many of them. Researchers, though, must not only become familiar with the ways of Indians but must also have respect for these ways. Most tribes welcome the conduct of appropriate research because the solutions to many of their problems require scientific expertise which they lack. On the other hand. Indians possess other important types of expertise such as knowledge of their culture, language, religion, and beliefs. Combining the expertise of researchers and Indians in a manner so that researchers and Indians are equal partners can result in research that is effectively and successfully performed. Supported by NHLBI.