Decolonizing Aging Research and Practice

Chair(s)

• 

  Lena Thompson, PHD, MPH (she/her/hers)

  Postdoctoral Associate
  Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team
  University of Alaska Fairbanks
  Fairbanks, Alaska, United States

Discussant(s)

• JL

  Jordan Lewis, PhD, MSW, FGSA (he/him/his)

  Director of Research, Research Professor
  Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team
  University of Alaska Fairbanks, College of Indigenous Studies
  Fairbanks, Alaska, United States

Individual Symposium Abstract First Author(s)

• 

  Lena Thompson, PHD, MPH (she/her/hers)

  Postdoctoral Associate
  Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team
  University of Alaska Fairbanks
  Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
• LH

  Lyn Holley, PhD, FAGHE, MPA,PhD,FAGHE (she/her/hers)

  Chuck Powell Professor of Gerontology
  Department of Gerontology
  University of Nebraska at Omaha
  Omaha, Nebraska, United States
• JL

  Jordan Lewis, PhD, MSW, FGSA (he/him/his)

  Director of Research, Research Professor
  Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team
  University of Alaska Fairbanks, College of Indigenous Studies
  Fairbanks, Alaska, United States

The focus of this symposium, co-sponsored by the Indigenous Peoples and Aging Research Interest Group and Rural Aging Interest Group, is to highlight projects that apply Indigenous and/or non-Western perspectives to co-create research or programs for Indigenous people. While researchers and practitioners continue to work on closing the research implementation gap, a lack of involvement of Indigenous people in research and a lack of Indigenous-focused research leads to longer delays between culturally safe and effective research findings and program implementation. Furthermore, Indigenous communities have faced instances where institutions have been the primary beneficiaries of research conducted on Indigenous communities. Engaging Indigenous people and perspectives in the research process enhances the relevance and sustainability of research and allows a more equitable balance of benefits from research for all parties involved. The goal of this symposium is to present research studies that showcases methodologies and protocol outside of the Western academic perspective that focus on community-engaged, strengths-based approaches. Papers presented at the symposium will share methods used to enhance connectedness of Indigenous people to research and programs through the use of community-engaged approaches, storytelling, and qualitative data collection.

Presentations:

• 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM PST

  Adapting a Disaster Preparedness Program Using an Indigenous Implementation Framework
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Lena Thompson, PHD, MPH (she/her/hers) – University of Alaska Fairbanks
• 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM PST

  A Traditional Healing Program on the Navajo Nation During COVID
• 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM PST

  Impacts of Intratribal Diversity on Services for Urban American Indian Elders
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Lyn M. Holley, PhD, FAGHE, MPA,PhD,FAGHE (she/her/hers) – University of Nebraska at Omaha
• 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM PST

  Decolonizing Dissemination of Research Ensures Local Relevance and Sustainability of Research Beyond the Grant
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Jordan P. Lewis, PhD, MSW, FGSA (he/him/his) – University of Alaska Fairbanks, College of Indigenous Studies