Miyupimaatisiiun Research Principles

These Miyupimâtisîun Research Principles must be followed by anyone conducting research involving the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay (CBHSSJB). Prior to beginning any research, research projects must obtain formal approval from the CBHSSJB Research Office. The entire research team, including any student researchers and research assistants, must provide written statements affirming that they will respect the following principles:

1. The Eeyouch have a unique worldview, culture and history that are different from Western science and practices. This should be considered and respectfully acknowledged during all stages of research, including in the interpretation of findings and any publications or oral presentations. 
2. The Eeyouch have an inherent right to self-determination and self-government. This is also affirmed in the Cree Constitution, the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, s. 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This includes the right to determine and control research involving Eeyouch, and sovereignty over Eeyou/Eenou data. 
3. Research should be governed by the important Eeyou/Eenou values of truth, respect and reciprocity. Transparency is essential to building and maintaining trust in research partnerships. 
4. Collective Eeyou/Eenou knowledge¹ in and of itself cannot be owned by an individual, under the Eeyouch worldview. Rather, the Eeyouch are collectively the guardians of this knowledge, for the benefit and use of Eeyouch. Documenting or researching Collective Eeyou/Eenou knowledge should only be carried out by Eeyouch. 
5. Research must focus on local and regional Eeyou/Eenou needs and priorities. Research should be conducted in a culturally safe manner, in the best interests and for the benefit of the Eeyouch.
6. Research objectives should promote the Eeyouch attaining Miyupimâtisîun, or living well. Miyupimâtisîun includes physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health and social well-being, within the context of land, identity and the Eeyou/Eenou traditional ways of life. Encouraging and respecting Nishîyû mînwâchihîhkûsîwin (traditional healing approaches) is also essential. 
7. Eeyouch have the inherent responsibility and right to protect their knowledge, practices, data and biological samples. Their sharing for research involving the CBHSSJB is restricted to the research objectives and scope approved by the CBHSSJB and subject to conditions set out in the required research agreement with the CBHSSJB, as well as OCAP® principles and any applicable policies or laws. Eeyou/Eenou values and practices, especially in the community where the research is taking place, must always guide the research process.
8. Research should be planned, executed and interpreted collaboratively, unless the CBHSSJB and researchers mutually decide otherwise. The CBHSSJB should be kept informed at every stage of a project. Researchers should aim to strengthen research capacity within the CBHSSJB and within communities, and this objective should be reflected in any research grants. Researchers should be aware that collaborative and participatory research may take more time. 
9. Prior and informed consent, without pressure, must be obtained from research participants prior to their participation in any research activity. For consent to be informed, project objectives, methodology, confidentiality of personal information, projected use of data and potential negative and positive impacts on Eeyouch, must all be addressed in the consent form. Consent forms should be available in îyiyû ayimûn (Eeyou language). Consent must also be obtained if data will be used for new purposes, other than the original objectives consented to. 
10. All results must be interpreted prior to publication with Eeyou/Eenou input through the CBHSSJB to ensure accuracy and culturally appropriate interpretations. Publication review processes must be followed to ensure that the Eeyou perspective is integrated and given the appropriate weight, including co-authorship. The ultimate goal of creating new knowledge is to share it with communities, stakeholders, and those who participated in the research, more so than creating publications. 
11. Any interpretation of data and any creation, including intellectual property, developed during a research project involving the CBHSSJB shall be jointly owned by the CBHSSJB and the researcher. Eeyou/ Eenou input and knowledge shared must be appropriately acknowledged, including in publications and oral presentations, and by having Eeyou/Eenou co-presenters. 
12. The CBHSSJB may decide to withdraw from a research project at any time. In such a case, research must cease, as well as the use of Eeyou/ Eenou data or of any results created, unless the CBHSSJB determines otherwise, including in view of valid and appropriate Eeyou/Eenou consent. 

¹ Collective Eeyou/Eenou knowledge refers to knowledge that the Creator has entrusted the Eeyouch with, which is intrinsically linked with Eeyou/Eenou traditional lands and resources and is passed on collectively from generation to generation (Eeyou Chischâyihtimuwin), as well as the practices associated with that knowledge (Eeyou Iyihtuwin)

The Cree translation of the principles will be available soon.