Author(s): Martine Lévesque, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University; Darlene Shecapio-Blacksmith, Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay; Charlie Louttit, Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay; Susan Law, Trillium Institute for Better Health; Jill Torrie; Robert Carlin; Lucy Trapper, Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay; Donald Ellis, Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay
Summary
Despite longstanding will that Indigenous health program evaluation ensure participation and cultural sensitivity fostering empowerment, respect for diversity and contextually accurate interpretations—technocratic approaches continue to dominate the field. In the current Canadian context of reconciliation, such approaches are being recognized as politically and ethically problematic. With this concern, since 2015 the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay (CBHSSJB) and McGill-based researchers have been using “developmental evaluation” (DE) to assess a region-wide initiative aimed at supporting community engagement in health planning: Iiyuu Ahtaawin Miyupimaatisiiun Planning (IAMP). Through close collaboration of researchers with the IAMP support and man- agement personnel, DE aims to provide ongoing and real-time feedback to support the institution’s health planning innovation process.
