Ethics Considerations

Ethics and compliance are housed under the Research + Industry Office and includes ECU's  Research Ethics office, which reviews research involving human participants.

The Tri-Agency's Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans - TCPS2 (2022) is also a resource for researchers to consider ethical conduct in research involving human participants. Chapter 9 details considerations in research with Indigenous Peoples.

ECU recognizes that a distinctions-based approach is needed to ensure that the unique rights, interests and circumstances of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit are acknowledged, affirmed, and implemented (Tri-Agency RDM Policy, Government of Canada 2021).

In addition to complying with Tri-Agency best practices and the institution’s research ethics process, ECU consults with Indigenous faculty and staff to guarantee wise practices in research by and with Indigenous researchers and communities. Research complying with relevant legal and commercial obligations and confidentiality and research agreements falls under the Office of VP Finance + Administration in consultation with the Research + Industry Office.

Indigenous Data Considerations

For research conducted by and with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities, collectives and organizations, DMPs must be co-developed with these communities, collectives and organizations, in accordance with RDM principles or DMP formats that they accept, and respecting principles underlying Indigenous data sovereignty (e.g. OCAP Principles, CARE Principles). DMPs in the context of research by and with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities, collectives and organizations should recognize Indigenous data sovereignty and include options for renegotiation of the DMP.

For research conducted by and with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities, collectives and organizations, these communities, collectives or organizations will guide and ultimately determine how the data are collected, used and preserved, and have the right to repatriate the data.