• Smudging Kit © Tracy Howlett

Ethics:

The Ărramăt Project will support 70 Indigenous-Place-Based Research Projects across Canada and globally in 2023-2024. Each of these projects will have different purposes, research activities, and tools. All projects must have a process for respecting the principles of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). The Indigenous Governments and Organizations leading projects may have their own procedures, protocols, and forms related to FPIC. They can also use the procedures for achieving FPIC developed and approved by the University of Alberta Research Ethics Board. For those doing research in Canada and/or with a Canadian University, you can use the number Pro00113756.

Ethical research also needs to ensure the safety and well-being of Indigenous participants, and  Health and Safety plan should be developed for each project.  Some guidance on this is provided in the section on Health and Safety.

The Ărramăt Project has made the following ethics protocol resources available for our Team to use in their own research and placed-based projects.

Ărramăt Ethics Summary Document

Ărramăt Participant Information Sheet – Condensed

Ărramăt Participant Information Sheet – Indigenous Organizations Included

Ărramăt Participant Consent Form

Ărramăt Participant Information/Research Sheets:

Please click the type of document you wish to download. 

Ărramăt Project Ethics Documents:

Ărramăt Data Sovereignty Resources:

  1. Ărramăt Recommendations on Data Sovereignty and Data Access Protocols (DSDAP) to foster Indigenous Knowledge Sharing
  2. Literature Review: Operationalizing FPIC in the context of Indigenous knowledge sharing: Data ownership and data sharing
  3. Informed Consent Form for Community Researchers (PDF)
  4. Informed Consent Form for Sub-Grantee Project Directors & Principal Investigators (PDF)
  5. Informed Consent for Indigenous Community Members (PDF)
  6. Free, Prior, and Informed Consent Message

Please note: Any of the above documents can be available in as Word documents if needed. To request, please contact info@arramatproject.org.

If you are in need of translated versions of any of these documents, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at info@arramatproject.org to request the language that you need.

Ărramăt Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

The Ărramăt Project does not permit the use of AI tools such as automatic notetakers, transcription bots, or recording programs (e.g., Otter AI, Microsoft Copilot, Adobe Firefly) during meetings, webinars, or other project-related gatherings. In line with our commitment to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), the Principles of Working Together, and the protection of privacy and the integrity of shared knowledge, we ask all participants to refrain from using these tools. If such tools are required for accessibility purposes, please ensure the Ărramăt Team is informed in advance.

Recordings and human-generated notes are taken only with consent and are used solely for Ărramăt purposes. These are never shared with third parties unless explicit consent has been provided (e.g., for posted webinars, toolboxes, or public resources). We also ask that AI tools not be used to capture or process prayers, ceremonial knowledge, or sensitive cultural content, as doing so violates both FPIC and the trust that underpins our collective work.

Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) Message

You are welcome to adapt or use this FPIC message in your own webinars, presentations, or resource materials. It’s designed to support respectful knowledge sharing and help ensure that Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) is upheld when information is recorded or shared. If adapting, please ensure it aligns with the context and needs of your community or organization.

“The information in this [ADD] is designed for Indigenous communities, researchers, and organizations. If you wish to use any information, please contact info@arramatproject.org for guidance on proper citation and to honour free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC). Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in respecting the purpose and integrity of our resources.”

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