An example of community partnership between the Métis Nation of Ontario and a university research team

Abstract

Researchers from the University of Guelph and Wilfrid Laurier University (Family Gambling team), were mid-way in an intergenerational gambling research project and had a Year 3 goal of recruiting an ethnically diverse sample. They needed more respondents and more in-depth responses. Through a research team contact, they contacted the Metis Nation of Ontario (MNO). The MNO was very interested in collaborating, as they have a mandate to conduct high-quality research with a Metis focus. The project also aligned with MNO's Aboriginal Responsible Gambling initiative and offered capacity-building opportunities. MNO was likewise attracted by the chance of developing a research project that would rest upon province-wide community engagement. Even with two willing parties, almost a year transpired before a final Letter of Agreement was signed. This poster will relate the process of negotiating the Letter of Agreement. The eventual partners engaged in meetings, writing letters of interest, employed a Canadian Institutes of Health Research template, had discussions about methods and extensive discussions about write-up of results and knowledge transfer/ mobilization. Other issues relating to time to complete tasks, the relationship with the funder, and changing staff will also be discussed. This has been a very rewarding experience for both groups, and now that a formal relationship has been established, the Family Gambling team and the MNO look forward to collaborating on future research projects.