Searching for Indigenous Health Information and Knowledges

What was the question? How can we work toward reconciliation by improving search methods for CADTH projects on Indigenous health topics? What did we do? We scanned the library and information science literature to find mention of searching for Indigenous topics. We examined a list of key journals to determine their inclusion in bibliographic databases. We analyzed a set of evidence reviews to assess their search methods. We expanded the library collection to include Indigenous research methodologies. What did we find? Standard biomedical sources for literature searching do not include the full spectrum of Indigenous health information and Indigenous Knowledges. Development of research and literature searching methodology for Indigenous health topics must ensure Indigenous Knowledges are respected and Indigenous communities are consulted. What does this mean? Current search methods may not adequately retrieve relevant sources of Indigenous health information. CADTH is taking steps to expand literature search methods to retrieve sources of Indigenous information. This work aligns with CADTH's commitment to reconciliation as outlined in our Strategic Plan and Statement of Reconciliation. Further engagement with Indigenous communities is needed to help ensure respect is maintained in CADTH's reconciliation work moving forward.