Eskinuapimk: Mi’kmaw Ethics Watch Review

At Chapel Island on July 25, 1999, the Sante’ Mawio’mi (Grand Council) established a committee to study and develop principles and protocols that will protect the integrity and cultural knowledge of the Mi’kmaw people. The committee examined the issues involved in research among Indigenous peoples, and developed a set of standards so that Mi’kmaw people are informed of research, are treated fairly and ethically during their participation in research and have an opportunity to benefit from any research conducted among them.

The name Mi’kmaw Ethics Watch (MEW), called Eskinuapimk, was inspired by a held position in the Grand Council, a person who stands at the door of the Grand Council Wigwam and is responsible for anyone entering the wigwam, directing them to the appropriate protocols, seating for discussion, etc., while also overseeing and guarding the opening of the wigwam. It was suggested as the appropriate word for the necessary watch of the protocol for entering, researching and protecting Mi’kmaw knowledge.

What is understood as the Mi'kma'ki Territory and Governance?

Mi’kmaq People are the original peoples of Mi’kma’ki now called Atlantic Canada. The origins are derived from many L’nu families who aligned themselves as Mi’kmaw around the tenth century. These allied families created tribal districts united by the L’nu traditions and languages. Seven tribal districts (saqmawa’ki) are named Kespukwitk, Sikepne’katik, Eski’kewaq, Unama’kik, Piktuk aqq Epekwitk, Sikniktewaq, and Kespe’kewaq. However, the Mi’kmaq includes families in Maine and southern Newfoundland.

Mi’kma’ki includes all of what is now Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island but also includes the north shore of New Brunswick, inland to the Saint John River watershed and the Gaspé Pennisula of Quebec. Mi’kma’ki extends to eastern Maine and parts of Newfoundland including the islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence as well as St. Pierre and Miquelon. 

What is the order of steps for SMU researchers? 

Researchers are informed to communicate with MEW early during the research plan preparation phases because MEW jurisdictional review areas and availabilities are particular, evolving and the review criteria is distinct to MEW. 

MEW provides quick and well defined direction about what needs to be considered during the initial design stages and about the upcoming regulatory affairs as multiple internal and external teams as well as possible relating communities begin their work. 

The home SMU REB review process involves a request to supply evidence of the MEW opinion in order to register a request for review work.  The MEW review is necessary and primary.  The MEW review criteria is distinct to MEW environments.  Such opinion is provided either in the form of an exemption or a clearance.

Researchers submit a Research Exemption Form to mew@cbu.ca.  MEW opinion arrives to researchers in the format of an email directly form MEW conveying the result of the review.  This is the communication to send along to the SMU REB together with the review request. Researchers hear back from MEW about these type of questions quite quickly.  In large part, the review involves matters surrounding collective knowledge, demographic capture, its extend and its types.  When MEW clearance is applicable, evidence of clearance is required in order for the SMU REB to register a request for review work.  

These prerequisite steps allow the SMU REB to be properly situated when it is considering the welfare of participants and the appropriateness of data collection and the dissemination of results plans to communities.  Practicing the proper order of steps helps with the overall oversight time period.  The below resources from MEW provide information and help with preparing to submit questions and requests to MEW. 

All research involving collective Mi’kmaw knowledge, culture, arts, spirituality, or traditions, or having the potential to impact treaty or Indigenous rights must be reviewed by Mi’kmaw Ethics Watch. (Contact: Zabrina Downton, Mi'kmaw Ethics Watch Administrator, Zabrina_Downton@cbu.ca/902-574-4158.

Resources: 

• Does My Research Require MEW Review? 
• Full List of Exemption Criteria
• Mi'kmaw Ethics Watch- Research Exemption Form
• Eskinuapimk: Mi'kmaw Ethics Watch Toolkit
• MEW Application Form (Please use the version of the form directly from the MEW website or your application will not be reviewed.)
  

  Please ensure all required documentation is included with the application.

  • Complete MEW Application Form
  • Informed Consent form(s)
  • Questionnaires, interview guides, recruitment tools (emails, posters, etc.)
  • Evidence of community engagement
  • Institutional REB approval, if available.

  Please send a complete application and all required documentation to mew@cbu.ca.

  MEW will confirm receipt of the application and reply in 1-2 weeks if there are any problems with your application (i.e., missing required documentation).

Submission Guidelines

The Mi’kmaw Ethics Watch Review Committee meets quarterly to review applications. Applications must be submitted electronically to mew@cbu.ca before the submission deadline to be considered for review. Applications submitted after a given deadline will be reviewed in the next quarter.

Submission Deadlines*
December 1
March 1
June 1
September 1

*Vacations and other reviewer obligations in the summer months may cause delays.

Research involving human participants must also receive Research Ethics Board (REB) clearance from the researcher’s home institution. A submission for review work to the Saint Mary's University REB requires evidence of MEW clearance.  Some Mi’kmaq communities also have their own REB or ethics processes established; please consult directly with communities for this information.

Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2), Chapter 9- Research Involving The First Nations, Inuit and Metis Peoples of Canada

• Introduction
• A. Key Concepts and Definitions
• B. Interpreting the Ethics Framework in Indigenous Contexts
• C. Applying Provisions of This Policy in Indigenous Contexts
  
  
• Sister Dorothy Moore L'nu Resource Centre (LRC) - The Sister Dorothy Moore L’nu Resource Centre (LRC), which is located within the Beaton Institute, is a beautiful, comforting space that houses a diverse collection of papers, books and other materials related to Mi’kmaw history.  The Grand Chief Room in the LRC may be used to give presentations or present videos related to Mi’kmaw culture. It is also a lovely, quiet place      for contemplation, sharing circles, reading and study. The LRC welcomes students, educators, researchers, and anyone with an interest in            Mi’kma’ki and Mi’kmaw culture. Contact: Tara_Johnson@cbu.ca 
  
  
• The First Nations Principles of OCAP®- The First Nations principles of ownership, control, access and possession- more commonly known as OCAP® - assert that First Nations have control over data collection processes, and that they own and control how this information can be used.