Momentum and Longevity for Tribally Driven Health Equity Science: Evidence from the Gathering for Health Project.

American Indian health disparities have reached crisis levels, and there is a need to develop culturally congruent interventions through meaningful tribal involvement and ethical community-oriented approaches. Hence, it is imperative that researchers and university administrators better understand how research translation occurs for tribally driven health-equity research projects. Utilizing thematic analysis methods, the authors examined documents from a 12-year community-based participatory research partnership to elucidate factors that ignite momentum and support partnership longevity. The overarching finding was that trust and respect provide a foundation for momentum and longevity and are closely intertwined with other themes identified in analyses. Seven themes were extrapolated and classified into two domains: (1) investments, which are catalyzing factors that advance research, and (2) intermediate processes, which link investments to success. Investment themes include Indigenous scholar involvement, time and effort, establishing rapport, and clear and appropriate communication. Intermediate process themes include generative colearning, active participation, and recognition and celebration. Community-based participatory research principles were reflected in these findings. This study also upholds prior published work on Indigenous research methodologies, promotes the lived experiences of Indigenous people, and contributes to Indigenous theory building and science.

Caregiving Stress Among American Indians With Type 2 Diabetes: The Importance of Awareness of Connectedness and Family Support.

American Indian (AI) communities experience a disproportionate rate of Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cumulative exposure to stress. Although this link is well researched among various populations, it has not been examined among AI communities. Path analysis was used to examine a multiple-mediator model to explain how caregiver stress influences self-reported mental and physical health among 100 AI participants with T2D. Caregiver stress was negatively associated with physical and mental health. Physical health was positively associated with family/community connectedness and mental health was positively associated with both family support and connectedness. The relationship between caregiver stress and mental health was partially mediated by family/community connectedness; caregiver stress had no indirect effects on physical health via either hypothesized mediator. Findings demonstrate the importance of integrating individuals' connection to family and community and its influence on caregiver stress and mental health in intervention programs targeting diabetes management and care among AI communities.

Community Engagement and Giving Back Among North American Indigenous Youth.

"Volunteer participation" refers to free engagement in activities that benefit someone or something else. Volunteering can produce many benefits for individuals and communities. However, current research examining volunteer participation often excludes diverse viewpoints on what constitutes volunteering, particularly the perspectives of North American Indigenous youth. This oversight may result from researchers' conceptualization and measurement of volunteering from a Western perspective. Utilizing data from the Healing Pathways (HP) project, a longitudinal, community-based participatory study in partnership with eight Indigenous communities in the United States and Canada, we provide a detailed description of volunteer participation and community and cultural engagement. Overall, we employ a community cultural wealth lens to emphasize the various strengths and sources of resilience that these communities possess. At the same time, we encourage scholars and the wider society to broaden their views of volunteering, community involvement, and giving back.