Progress 09/15/07 to 09/14/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In general, Native Americans remain trapped in economic hardship. Economic development is a high priority concern of tribal and national significance. Consumer demand in Native American communities is poorly understood. This project identified factors related to tribally-defined assets that influence consumer demand in tribal communities. OBJECTIVES: The research project answered several important questions of national and tribal significance. First, the project asked, what factors associated with tribally-defined assets can influence consumer sentiment for agricultural products Secondly, it asked, what other unique tribal factors and community strategies can inform rural and economic development in the food and agricultural sector APPROACH: The research team used qualitative in-depth interviewing and ethnography to collect data. Qualitative methods were particularly effective in collecting rich meanings based from the unique experiences of respondents. Previous exploratory research in Native American communities has shown qualitative interviewing to be an effective method of data collection. In-depth interviewing was conducted in both one-to-one discussions and in group settings (e.g., focus groups and talking circles). Semi-structured interview outlines developed from the research questions guided the researcher and interviewees through their discussion, allowing the researcher flexibility to probe for detailed information. Ethnographic, field notes typically based on participant observations and holistic analyses, has been particularly effective in situations where cross-cultural understanding is being explored. Immediately before and after each interview, the researcher recorded field notes that documented the non-verbal observations from each interview or group session. Native American undergraduate students were a critical research link between colleges and communities in this study for several reasons. First, their presence brought communities onto campus in a unique fashion, through the rich multi-stranded relationships that exist between the family, church, tribal government, local businesses, cultural institutions, and the land. Secondly, tribal college students represented an extension of the college campus into their local tribal communities. Students maintain close connections to their family and land and often bring home the leadership, knowledge and skills gained in academic life. They volunteer in community activities and in public service, and many continue to play a role in the traditional cultural life of the tribal nation. Finally, Native American students represent the future of indigenous scholarship and would benefit from exposure to practical research experiences and interaction with collaborative research partners. PARTICIPANTS: This research project was developed and implemented by a team comprised of staff from Chief Dull Knife College (CDKC), Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI), Montana State University - Bozeman (MSU), and First Americans Land grant Consortium (FALCON). The research team members are as follows: Yvonneda Thompson, CDKC; Barbara Goodman, SIPI; Dr. George Haynes, MSU; Dr. John Phillips, FALCON. Each team member assisted in developing the survey tools, compiling the survey data and analysis of the data. Students were trained in basic social science research techniques including quantitative surveying, recognizing and controlling for bias, data collection and analysis, and technical writing. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. A total of 50 interviews were collected, 25 from Northern Cheyenne and 25 from SIPI. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences for this research project were Northern Cheyenne community members and southwest tribal communities that Southwestern Indian Polytechnic institute serve. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
This project has demonstrated how the partner institutions: Chief Dull Knife College (CDKC), Montana State University (MSU) and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI), were uniquely suited to conduct research that is innovative, multi-disciplinary and problem focused. Institutional Review Board (IRB) compliance was administered by MSU. SIPI and CDKC undergraduate students and faculty were trained by MSU in qualitative research methods. A semi-structured interview guide was developed using a community assets (or capitals) conceptual framework. 25 interviews each were conducted by CDKC on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation and by SIPI on its campus. Interviews averaged about 45 minutes, and were transcribed and analyzed for common themes. PRODUCTS: The project team has made two poster presentations at scholarly conferences. An informational handout is being planned for the communities involved. OUTCOMES: Students and faculty at each of the tribal colleges gained knowledge and experience in conducting research in tribal communities. Relationships were built between institutions/communities and a stronger collaborative trust has been established. Tribal colleges' institutional capacity has been built to address tribal research needs. Extension programming at CDKC and SIPI has incorporated the research findings, which will result in more effective community education and economic development. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: The research team has presented posters on the project at two scholarly conferences. Plans are being developed to disseminate the findings in each of the communities that participated in the research. FUTURE INITIATIVES: The research team has continuation plans at CDKC, SIPI, and MSU to further analyze the data and disseminate the outcomes. It is anticipated that other tribal college researchers will adopt the research approach used in this project in order to determine their own tribal perspectives on assets and consumer behavior. Likewise, tribal college extension educators can use the research data to better tailor their programs for tribal audiences. Furthermore, the result finding may inform tribal and national policy-makers on asset building strategies that are culturally-relevant to Native Americans. IMPACT: 2007/09 TO 2008/09 The research findings suggest that tribal individuals and communities value assets such as culture, family and land. The value of food is associated with assets such as community, family, culture, local economic development, and health. The data suggests that the purchasing and consumption decisions regarding food products may be based largely on non-financial factors. Thus, economic development activities such as the market development for agricultural products in Native American communities need to consider non-financial decision-making such as cultural content, family values, or community interests. Ultimately, the project will help agricultural product development and marketing better respond to Native American consumers as well as cross-cultural consumers.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 09/15/07 to 09/14/08
Outputs
Funding opportunities through CSREES has afforded a research project that seeks answers to several important questions of national and tribal significance. The Native American consumer perspectives: An exploratory study of the relationship of tribally-defined assets and consumer sentiment grant has demonstrated how partner institutions; Chief Dull Knife College, Montana State University and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, were uniquely suited to conduct research that is innovative, multi-disciplinary and problem focused. Students and staff from the institutions developed qualitative research methods under a community assets framework to seek community answers to the following two questions: First, 'What factors associated with tribally-defined assets can influence consumer sentiment for agricultural products' Second, 'What other unique tribal factors and community strategies can inform rural and economic development in the food and agricultural sector' The project demonstrates it is in line with the strategic direction of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service and the Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program. The partners have made significant progress in this project and have begun to solidify the proposed research by clearly establishing the scientific rationale of the four main points: (1) that consumer demand is a function of the willingness to buy (consumer sentiment); (2) that consumer sentiment (confidence) is defined and measured in primarily financial terms; (3) that Native Americans' cultural perspective views economic development in primarily non-financial terms; and (4) that non-financial factors must be explored to determine Native American consumer sentiment and demand. The project has a clear outline of the approach used including specific objectives, methods, a timetable, deliverables and outcomes. PRODUCTS: The project has created a poster presentation by the research team (staf and students). OUTCOMES: Students and staff at each of the tribal colleges have gained knowledge on conducting research in tribal communities. Relationships have made between institutions/communities and a stronger collaborative trust has been established. Tribal colleges' institutional capacity has been built to address tribal research needs. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: The research team has integrated evaluation throughout this project. Evaluation has focused on two aspects: project activities and deliverables. The project activities are documented by timely manner of completed activities, within the budget, in the design manner and desired outcomes. Student researcher assistants conducted the interviews/evaluation instrument and will participate in the publication of a journal. They will also participate in presentations, posters, reports and papers delivered at scientific and professional conferences FUTURE INITIATIVES: The research team has continuation plans at CDKC, SIPI, and MSU to complete the project and disseminate the outcomes. It is anticipated that other tribal college researchers will adopt the research approach used in this project in order to determine their own tribal perspectives on assets and consumer behavior. Likewise, tribal college extension educators can use the research data to better tailor their programs for tribal audiences. Furthermore, the result finding may inform tribal and national policy-makers on asset building strategies that are culturally-relevant to Native Americans.
Impacts
Upon completion, the project will help agricultural product development and marketing better respond to Native American consumers as well as cross cultural consumers.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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