The Tribal Research Review Board (TRRB) reviews all proposed research within the Flathead Indian Reservation per the Tribal Research Protection Ordinance 110-A.
Director: Mattea Grant
Phone: (406) 675-2700 ext. 1273
Email: mattea.grant@cskt.org
Hours: Mon-Thurs 7:00am – 5:30pm
Our Work
The TRRB is responsible for overseeing all research that occurs within CSKT and directing to the appropriate departments and entities for permission or denial, including storing all research and information regarding research.
TRRB Background Overview
The TRRB was created in 2020 in response to a change in federal regulations that requires only one Institutional Review Board (IRB) located anywhere in the United States to approve research conducted in multiple locations. This change meant other IRBs could approve research on the Flathead Reservation or involve CSKT tribal members without the Tribes’ knowledge or approval. Tribal Council saw that this regulatory change could potentially prove detrimental to our people, given the history of inappropriate and/or unethical research in this and other Indigenous communities and the importance of CSKT having the opportunity to review and assess relevant research proposals before they proceed.
However, an exception to the rule allows tribes to pass tribal laws that require separate tribal approval. As a result, the CSKT Tribal Council enacted Ordinance 110-A, also known as the Flathead Indian Reservation Research Protection Ordinance. This Ordinance requires the SKC IRB to approve all research conducted on the Reservation or involving tribal citizens. The SKC IRB will only approve projects that the TRRB has approved. An updated Ordinance listing TRRB on all reviews will soon be implemented.
Purpose
The TRRB intends to safeguard the health and welfare of Tribal members, descendants, and reservation residents; improve relations between the Tribes and scientists/researchers; promote collaboration within the framework of mutual respect, equity, and empowerment; and maximize the benefits and reduce any risks of research to CSKT and tribal citizens
Procedure overview
- The TRRB review process falls upon Indigenous data sovereignty and governance principles, which are guided by the C.A.R.E. framework (Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility, and Ethics). In addition, projects must adhere to Community-Based Participatory Research practices. In practicing our rights as a sovereign nation, CSKT retains ownership of all data and reserves the right to review any materials before publication.
- A key aspect of the TRRB review process is ensuring that all CSKT stakeholders affected by the research can determine whether the project is justified, beneficial, and feasible within departmental resources.
- The CSKT also prioritizes our engagement at the beginning of any research project, including—but not limited to—developing grant proposals and defining the project’s research scope. Early participation with CSKT is crucial to ensure the project is “with us” rather than “for us.”
- The long-established Salish Kootenai College Institutional Review Board remains a separate entity, and in partnership, plays an important role in the TRRB review process. The SKC IRB reviews research proposals involving human participants, as defined under the Code of Federal Regulations for Human-participant research.
- Please be advised that the entire CSKT review process will take at least several months (3-7 months) and potentially more, depending on the project’s complexities. Please allow for adequate review time.
CSKT Research Priorities
As part of CSKT’s commitment to Indigenous data sovereignty, and to enhance research outcomes, CSKT has department-specific research priorities. Researchers interested in focusing on any research priority should contact the TRRB director, including for the latest research priority list.
Review Process
Application
All applications can be emailed to the TRRB director when completed
Human-Participant Related Research
Must also be reviewed by the SKC IRB
Non-human Participant Research
Research Requiring Additional Review
Cultural Review
Natural Resources Department Scientific Collection Permit
All applications can be emailed to the TRRB director when completed.
Tribal Council
Meeting Schedule
Procedure Overview
Rules & Regulations
Ordinance
Policies & Procedures
Researcher Expectations
- Will respect and honor the sovereign authority CSKT has to govern, monitor, direct, review, organize, and store data rooted in Indigenous Data Sovereignty Principles.
- Will follow all policies and procedures in accordance to the Research Protection Ordinance 110-A including the following:
- Submit all research proposals, publications, and materials to the TRRB director, and they must all undergo the TRRB review process. IRB approval from a separate entity at a different location is not accepted on the Flathead Indian Reservation per Research Protection Ordinance 110-A. Refer to procedures for the TRRB review process.
- Submit clear and concise proposals that contain all steps of the research project, including plans for dissemination and publication. All sections must be included in the TRRB review application. Ensure complete transparency in all project components (i.e., budget, objectives, timelines, project personnel).Hire tribal people from or within CSKT, including Tribal evaluators on all projects. Present proposals in person to each respective CSKT stakeholder. To not begin a research project until all appropriate approvals have been granted. Uphold confidentiality, privacy, and anonymity regarding all specimens, research materials, and data. Apply for a project amendment if changes to the original proposal occur. Comply with CSKT TRRB requests to withdraw from projects and/or return all samples, if requested. Follow all requested corrections, including but not limited to data or findings under review for publication.
- Utilize community-based Participatory Research principles for each project:
- Build relationships and partnerships with respective CSKT departments/stakeholders before starting the grant proposal. Grant proposals will be written in collaboration with the respective CSKT department. Collaboration on a grant proposal will not occur without permission from the respective CSKT department and must follow CSKT contracts and grants procedures.
- Respect CSKT Elders’ time and energy. CSKT Elders are highly respected and have a wealth of knowledge, but their time and energy are a priority. Unlimited access to them is unwarranted. Maintain relationships with the community throughout the entire research project. Submit all review applications to the respective CSKT stakeholders. Understand that research projects will be CSKT-driven projects that prioritize the community’s current research needs, goals, and priorities. Maintain communication regarding project updates throughout the project, including the dissemination phase, publications, and presentations. Return all data, final documents, and published materials to the CSKT TRRB. It is the inherent sovereign right of CSKT to maintain ownership of all data, including final documents and published materials. It will be housed in the Tribal Research Review Department unless the respective CSKT department wants ownership
Additional Resources
- Language Heritage Policy: Link to document
- Link to Indigenous Data Sovereignty: https://nni.arizona.edu/our-work/research-policy-analysis/indigenous-data-sovereignty-governance
- Link to 45.CFR.46: https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/regulations-and-policy/regulations/45-cfr-46/index.html
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How long does the review process take?
A. Depending on the additional required reviews, the entire process could take 3-7 months. Please allow adequate time for review.
Q. How do I submit an application for a review?
A. please email the completed application to the TRRB director, Mattea Grant @ mattea.grant@cskt.org
Q. What if I have a human-participant related research proposal?
A. Please fill out the ‘Human-participant related research’ application and send it to both the TRRB director and SKC IRB (irb@skc.edu)
Q. What if I also need a Natural Resources Department Collection permit?
A. Please complete CSKT NRD Scientific collection permit application and email to Whisper Camel-means @ whisper.means@cskt.org. Researchers will also need to complete a TRRB application and email the completed version to the TRRB director with copy of the scientific collection permit application. Tribal Council approval is required after NRD and the TRRB have approved the project.
Q. Does your project constitute research that requires TRRB review?
A. Please reach out to the TRRB director if you are unsure if your project requires TRRB review. All research within the Flathead Indian Reservation must go through the TRRB review.
Q. What if I am not publishing?
A. Yes, students need to submit a TRRB application to be reviewed by the TRRB to ensure the protection of CSKT resources, cultural intellectual knowledge, and Tribal citizens.
Q. My study/interview/surveys are for a grant objective within a CSKT department program?
A. The TRRB will review to ensure the protection of CSKT and provide feedback (if needed). The TRRB is creating a data repository and asks for a copy of the data to add to the CSKT data repository.
A. All surveys/interviews regarding human-participant related research must undergo SKC IRB review. SKC IRB follows the federal guidelines for Human-participant related research under the 45 C.F.R. 46 that protect human-participant related research.
Q. Do I attend or present to the TRRB when they are reviewing my project?
A. No, TRRB meetings are closed at the time. The TRRB director will follow up with the review outcome after the TRRB meeting (~1-2 weeks post meeting; could be 30-90 days if additional review is needed)
Q. My project has been approved by an IRB (not SKC IRB or TRRB), does it still need to be reviewed by the TRRB and SKC IRB?
A. Yes, the CSKT research protection ordinance supersedes any outside IRB approvals to conduct research within the exterior boundaries of the Flathead Indian Reservation. If Human-participant related research, the study must also be reviewed by the SKC IRB per Federal guidelines (45 C.F.R. § 46)
Q. What if my review is not done before a deadline from an outside entity?
A. The TRRB tries to be accommodating, but it’s best to give adequate time for the TRRB to do a full review without missing any deadlines outside of CSKT.
Q. I got a approved from grant funding, but haven’t went through the TRRB for review.
A. This does not guarantee that the project will be approved by the TRRB. It is highly recommended to go through the TRRB review process before applying for a grant or in coordination with TRRB. The TRRB has the right to deny any project.