This report describes the activities, successes, challenges, and lessons learned from the Hoopa/Tribal Law and Policy Institute Research Partnership.
In January 2019, the Tribal Law and Policy Institute (TLPI), in partnership with the Hoopa Valley Tribe, was awarded a Tribal-Researcher Capacity Building Grant to conduct a relationship-building and research-planning process. Despite many community strengths, the Hoopa Valley Tribe experiences ongoing struggles with substance-use disorder and rates of violent victimization that exceed the county and state averages. Several tribal members are masters-level and doctoral-level researchers, authors, and scholars, which gives the tribe intellectual resources that facilitate tribal research projects. TLPI drafted a tribal resolution that was passed, and the project formally began on January 1, 2019. Kendall Allen-Guyer was hired as the Tribal Liaison in April 2019 to assist in raising community awareness of the project, facilitate relationship building and bi-directional learning with the community, and ensure a Hoopa-centered approach to all project activities. The relationship-building, bi-directional learning, and co-creation of a research agenda was unique to this project. The Tribal Liaison’s guidance provided important insights and learning opportunities for TLPI. In the context of presenting project activities, this report identifies the successes and challenges experienced by the research team. The lessons learned focus on the overarching learning that emerged from the process. The TLPI team quickly determined that having the right person as the Tribal Liaison facilitated insight into issues related to local culture and social climate. In addition, the Tribal Liaison facilitated the selection and receptivity of tribal leaders for interviews. Issues discussed in this research process are relationship building; outreach, messaging, and dissemination; flexibility and adaptability; and centering a Hoopa research paradigm. Various project tools and products are provided.