Tribal IRBs
Many Indigenous peoples, including the Apsáalooke (Crow), Nakota (Assiniboine), Dakota (Sioux), Niimiipuu (Nez Perce), Očhéthi Šakówiŋ (Lakota), Piikani (Blackfeet), Seliš (Salish), Sosori Newe (Shoshone), Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) and Tsétsêhéstâhese (Northern Cheyenne), have traditional claims to the lands in Montana. Their Indigenous histories and perspectives inform the research conducted at Montana State University.
IRB Mission Statement
We are dedicated to fostering a research environment that respects and upholds the diverse traditions, cultures, and sovereignty of tribal and foreign nations. Our mission is to ensure that research conducted within our institution aligns with the ethical principles and values of these communities, honoring their traditions, beliefs, and ways of knowing. We strive to protect the rights, welfare, and interests of all research participants, while promoting equitable partnerships and mutual understanding between researchers and communities.
Review Process
Research that will occur on reservations must be reviewed by the local Tribal IRB. A second, dual review is not required by MSU IRB. However, researchers must submit their tribal application materials, approval letters, and continuing review letters to the MSU IRB for documentation via TOPAZ or to the IRB Program Manager.
Alternately, tribes may wish for MSU to conduct a pre-review, can specifically request a dual review, or may cede primary review to the MSU IRB with documentation from the appropriate tribal authority (e.g., letter from council, legislature, THPO, or other tribally authorized body). MSU IRB is available to tribes and researchers to assist as helpful.
MSU IRB may be able to review studies involving non-specific tribe or urban Indian populations and will do so for studies that include a combination of tribe-specific and non-specific approaches.
Researchers and Class Projects
MSU Researchers should take care to employ thoughtful planning, meaningful relationship building, and respectful communications with sovereign nations. We want to ensure that we are advancing research that is culturally sensitive, ethically sound, and contributes positively to the well-being and empowerment of tribal populations.
Class projects, single semester work, and short term research studies are typically not conducive to the timeline needed. Researchers are highly encouraged to consult with the Montana IDeA Community Engagement Core (CEC) and the Center for American Indian and Rural Health Equity (CAIRHE) prior to proposing research involving indigenous populations.
MSU Research Assurances
- We are committed to upholding the sovereignty and self-determination of tribal partners, or foreign nations, throughout all stages of research, ensuring their rights, perspectives, and interests are respected and prioritized.
- Research processes will be conducted in a culturally sensitive and ethical manner, taking into account the unique cultural, spriritual, and traditional values of the tribal communities.
- We will engage in transparent and inclusive communication with tribal partners fostering open dialouge, mutual respect, and collbaorative decision-making to ensure that research goals align with community needs and priorities.
- Confidentiality and privacy of tribal/foreign nation knowledge, data, and information will be rigorously maintained, with protocols in place to protect sensitive materials and ensure they are used only for purposes agreed upon by tribal partners.
- We are dedicated to promoting the equitable distribution of benefits and resources resulting from research activities, striving to emmpower tribal communities through capacity-building, knowledge-sharing, and opportunities for meaningful participation and leadership in the research process.
- We will ensure all collaborators (both internal and external) are aware of, and will adhere to, these cultural assurances set in place by Montana State University.
Montana Tribe and Tribal College IRB contacts:
Aaniiih Nakoda College
Contact: Dr. Sean Chandler [email protected] 406-353-2607
See also IRB Guidebook and IRB Forms
Blackfeet Nation
Contact: Brad Hall, Prior Chair [email protected] 406-338-5441 ext 2208
*Please note: BNIRB is rebuilding at this time and may not be accepting new applications until a later date. BNIRB meets quarterly, March, June, September, and December.
Chief Dull Knife College
Contact: Adrienne Violett [email protected] 406-477-6215 x138
Fort Peck Community College
http://www.fortpecktribes.org/
FWA00019355
Contact: Paula Firemoon [email protected] 406-768-6330
Chair: Robert McAnally [email protected] 406-768-8377
Little Big Horn College
Contact: Dr. Gerlinda Morrison [email protected] 406-638-3158
*LBHC IRB reviews studies associated with the college only.
Rocky Mountain Tribal Institutional Review Board
https://www.rmtlc.org/rocky-mountain-tribal-institutional-review-board
Contact: Cheyenne Tall Bull [email protected] 304-368-8337
Salish Kootenai College
https://irb.skc.edu/skc-irb-forms
Contact: Dr. Stacey Sherwin [email protected] 406-275-4931
*The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Ordinance 110-A requires that the SKC IRB review all research occurring on the reservation or studies that specifically target the tribal population off reservation. Studies will also be vetted by the Research Review Board to ensure that topics meet identified tribal needs and priorities.
Stone Child College
Contact: Wilma Tyner, IRB Chairperson & Dean of Academics 406-395-4875