225 - Amplifying Voices in Evaluation: Embracing Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being

Abstract Information: According to the Native American Center for Excellence (NACE), evaluators have betrayed the Native trust by failing to conduct their studies in a collaborative, transparent, and respectful manner (NACE, 2024). Consequently, some evaluators find it challenging to engage in program evaluation within such communities. One pathway to success in conducting evaluations within these communities is to adopt a culturally rigorous approach, reclaiming data for the well-being of the community and remaining grounded in cultural knowledge systems (United Indian Health Institute, 2024). The Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation, a national, award-winning Native-led nonprofit, is at the forefront of efforts to improve the health of Native American children. The organization employs Indigenous perspectives in its evaluation processes and has developed the Indigenous Health Model (IHM) to guide its evaluation, research, and capacity-building strategies with Native communities and grant funders. This model promotes Indigenous and transformative methodologies, sharing an emancipatory and critical stance increasingly used in tandem by both Western and Indigenous scholars to decolonize methodologies, research, and academia as a whole. The NB3 Foundation is pleased to share its health model with other evaluators interested in working within Native communities. This demonstration will explore the integration of Western and Indigenous evaluation methods, as well as address challenges between funders and evaluators seeking to balance funder needs with the needs of Native communities being evaluated. The outcomes of the demonstration workshop will include: 1. Ability to Use the Keeping Track Toolkit: A Pathway to Indigenous Evaluation Participants will be introduced to the Keeping Track Toolkit, a comprehensive resource designed to facilitate an Indigenous evaluation process. During the demonstration, attendees will learn how to identify important community stakeholders, culturally relevant indicators, and measure outcomes in a manner consistent with Indigenous values and norms. 2. Embracing Storytelling as an Essential Tool in Evaluation The demonstration will explore the role of revealed knowledge in evaluation, which stems from spiritual and traditional ways of knowing. Attendees will delve into Indigenous Ways of Knowing and qualitative methodologies useful within indigenous communities. 3. Bridging the Gap between Funders and Indigenous Communities At the conclusion of an evaluation process, funders typically seek reports that offer an assessment of the program's success or failure. Conversely, Indigenous communities prioritize the identification of practical solutions tailored to their specific cultural context. Therefore, their reports necessitate a keen focus on cultural sensitivity. This aspect will be thoroughly explored during the demonstration. Through this demonstration workshop, attendees will gain invaluable knowledge, practical tools, and a deeper understanding of how to amplify empowering voices in evaluation, ultimately contributing to the empowerment and sustainability of Native and Indigenous organizations and communities.