Decolonizing research: Fostering relationality, reciprocity, and critical reflexivity in an Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadian research team

Introduction: Public health research has often perpetuated historical power imbalances, and in some cases continues to do so today. Indeed, it can exploit marginalized communities without bringing them equitable benefits. This ongoing practice prioritizes the agendas of dominant powers, neglecting local knowledge systems and imposing Eurocentric solutions. Objective: Our research investigates decolonizing methodologies within a Canadian team composed of Indigenous and non-Indigenous members. Results: Drawing on the works of Smith and Kovach, we implemented four key decolonial research principles: fostering relationships based on trust, challenging Eurocentric structures, supporting Indigenous self-determination, and ensuring an ethical research space. Our approach emphasizes relationality, reciprocity, and critical reflexivity, aiming to mitigate power imbalances and promote equitable collaboration. We adopted strategies such as advancing reciprocal decision-making, aligning methodologies to Indigenous worldviews and ways of knowing, reflecting on roles and positionalities, and developing relational accountability. Conclusion: This paper highlights the challenges in integrating these decolonizing strategies, underscoring their importance in creating equitable research processes. Our findings contribute to the growing discourse on decolonizing research, providing insights into the practical application of these principles in a collaborative research environment.