Environmental health action in indigenous communities

This paper explores the ways in which a mismatch between research purpose and local outcomes can significantly undermine the credibility of Indigenous health staff within their communities. The paper presents research findings and a case study that highlight the conflicting nature of the relationships and responsibilities that Indigenous environmental health practitioners have to their communities and to their health agency employers. This is particularly so with respect to research being conducted on environmental health conditions in communities. It follows earlier calls by Indigenous people for research conducted in, for and with their communities that goes beyond problem identification. The conclusion leads to a strong advocacy for new research norms with designs and protocols that work to support, rather than to undermine, the work of local Indigenous practitioners in community environmental health practice.