Protecting Knowledge. Elevating Voices. Empowering Sovereignty.
Bridging traditional Indigenous knowledge with contemporary research methodologies through community-centered, ethical, and culturally grounded approaches.
Research Philosophy
"Indigenous communities are the experts of their own experiences. My role is to support community-driven research that honors traditional knowledge while addressing contemporary challenges through culturally grounded methodologies."
- Robert Hicks
Community-Centered
Research conducted WITH Indigenous communities, not ON them
Community-Centered
Research conducted WITH Indigenous communities, not ON them
Relational Methodologies
Building knowledge through relationships and reciprocal partnerships
Relational Methodologies
Building knowledge through relationships and reciprocal partnerships
Cultural Protocols
Respecting Indigenous protocols and community consent processes
Cultural Protocols
Respecting Indigenous protocols and community consent processes
Data Sovereignty
Ensuring community control over data, stories, and research outcomes
Data Sovereignty
Ensuring community control over data, stories, and research outcomes
Areas of Impact
Comprehensive research and advocacy spanning Indigenous health, community methodologies, and data sovereignty initiatives.
Indigenous Health Research
Community-centered health studies focusing on traditional wellness practices and contemporary health challenges.
Community Methodologies
Developing research approaches that honor Indigenous ways of knowing and community protocols.
Decolonial Storytelling
Amplifying Indigenous voices through culturally grounded narrative and digital storytelling methods.
Visual Documentation
Ethical photography and multimedia documentation respecting community consent and cultural protocols.
Data Sovereignty
Ensuring Indigenous communities maintain control over their data, stories, and research outcomes.
Relational Learning
Building knowledge through relationships, reciprocity, and community-centered collaboration.
Featured Research
Current research initiatives addressing critical Indigenous community needs through collaborative and culturally grounded approaches.
Traditional Food Systems
Exploring the intersection of traditional Indigenous food practices with contemporary community health outcomes.
Community Voice & Narrative
Amplifying Indigenous perspectives through ethical storytelling and community-controlled narrative development.
Indigenous Data Sovereignty
Developing frameworks for community control over Indigenous data, research, and digital infrastructure.
Research Impact
Measurable outcomes from community-centered research initiatives
Community-Based Participatory Research
My research approach centers Indigenous communities as partners and experts, ensuring that research serves community needs and priorities while respecting cultural protocols and traditional knowledge systems.
Community-Driven Priorities
Research questions emerge from community needs and priorities
Collaborative Partnership
Equal partnership throughout all phases of research
Community Control
Communities maintain ownership and control over their data and stories
CARE Principles
Collective Benefit
Research should benefit Indigenous communities
Authority to Control
Communities have authority over their data
Responsibility
Researchers are accountable to communities
Ethics
Research must align with Indigenous values
Community Voices
Testimonials from Indigenous communities and research partners about our collaborative work
"Robert's approach to research truly honors our community protocols. He listens, learns, and ensures we maintain control over our stories and data throughout the entire process."
Elder Sarah Whitehorse
Community Health Advocate
"The digital storytelling workshops transformed how our youth connect with their cultural identity. The respectful, community-centered approach made all the difference."
Maria Gonzalez
Youth Program Director
"Working with Robert on data sovereignty implementation has been transformative. Our community now has full control over our research data and digital infrastructure."
Dr. James Crow Dog
Tribal Research Director
Stay Connected
Subscribe to receive updates on research developments, community stories, and upcoming workshops
We respect your privacy and follow Indigenous data sovereignty principles
Ready to Collaborate?
I welcome partnerships with Indigenous communities, researchers, and organizations committed to ethical, community-centered research and storytelling.