The RIPPLES of Meaningful Involvement: A Framework for Meaningfully Involving Indigenous Peoples in Health Policy Decision-Making

Abstract

Indigenous Peoples experience the greatest health inequities in Canada and other colonized countries, yet are routinely excluded from health-related policy decisions. Those advocating for Indigenous health equity are often left wrestling with the question: What constitutes, and what can foster, meaningful involvement of Indigenous Peoples in the contemporary health policy climate? Twenty (n = 20) in-depth, open-ended interviews with Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders in health and health policy were conducted with a view to understanding what constitutes meaningful involvement of Indigenous Peoples in health policy decision-making. The analysis suggests meaningful involvement requires attuning to underlying power dynamics inherent in policy making and taking action to decolonize and transform the policy system itself. Based on these findings, the authors offer a framework for meaningful involvement.