MFN
MFN CAHR – Membership Policies/Procedures
1. Categories and Criteria of Membership
The MFN CAHR welcomes researchers who are interested and involved in research
aimed at improving the health of First Nations, Metis, Inuit and/or Indigenous
populations to become members of MFN CAHR. All members are expected to
implement the principles and practices outlined in the Framework for Research
Engagement with First Nation, Metis, and Inuit Peoples in their program of research.
(1.1.) General Criteria
The general criterion for collaboration is involvement and commitment to partnershipbased First Nations, Metis, Inuit and/or Indigenous health research. Evidence of such
involvement or commitment generally includes an established or emerging research
focus in First Nations, Metis, Inuit and/or Indigenous health (biomedical, clinical, health
services or focused on Social, Cultural, Environmental, and Population Health), as
supported by tenure of research grants and contracts and publication of new knowledge
and insight into First Nations, Metis, Inuit and/or Indigenous health, or collaboration in a
First Nations, Metis, Inuit and/or Indigenous health research project.
Members may be university- or community-based researchers or students/research
assistants conducting or contributing to First Nations, Metis, Inuit and/or Indigenous
health research. At times, MFN CAHR will offer membership on an honourary basis as
recognition of outstanding contributions to First Nations, Metis, Inuit, and/or Indigenous
health. Researchers and honourary members are encouraged to contribute to the MFN
CAHR Mentorship Program (see Section 2.2. below). All students/research assistants
working in the MFN CAHR facilities must be under supervision/mentorship of an
investigator who is a member of MFN CAHR. The supervisor/mentor accepts
responsibility for the student.
2. Benefits of Membership
Members of MFN CAHR will benefit from our key activities as follows:
(2.1.) MFN CAHR Support Unit/Research Navigation Services
Through MFN CAHR's Support Unit, Research Navigation Services are offered to all
participating members, on a fee for service basis. Researchers engaged in First
Nations, Metis, Inuit, and Indigenous health research face an array of challenges related
to navigating the funder-university-Indigenous community interface. Our members will
enjoy the benefit of drawing from our expertise and infrastructure in this regard. These
updated October 26, 2015
1 of 5
services may include relationship building, ethics submissions, research assistant time,
office space, IT services, and/or grant administration.
Examples include assistance regarding:
 how to purchase tobacco, fulfill ceremonial and relationship-building obligations
(hosting a feast for example) given new university policies;
 for new researchers wanting to assist First Nations, Metis, Inuit and/or
Indigenous peoples in addressing their own research priorities, how to approach
political organizations or community, who to talk to, etc.
 how to frame the demands on partnership-based research when applying for
tenure and promotion, when university guidelines do not recognize engaged
scholarship as a legitimate form of scholarship;
 navigating university- and community-based ethics protocols;
 research assistant time;
 office space;
 IT services;
 grant administration
(2.2.) MFN CAHR Mentorship Program
One of our key goals is to develop mutually beneficial relationships between
community- or university-based researchers and students or research assistants who
share common research interests. Since 2001, MFN CAHR has operated an extensive
student mentorship program to foster the development of interest and expertise in First
Nations, Metis, Inuit and Indigenous health research. MFN CAHR maintains
relationships with a cadre of faculty mentors who are committed to support First
Nations, Metis, Inuit and Indigenous students and research assistants interested in
graduate work and research, and in all students and research assistants interested in
collaborative First Nations, Metis, Inuit and/or Indigenous health research.
MFN CAHR currently manages a scholarship program funded by the Canadian Queen
Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships, which offers Canadian students the
opportunity to undertake research in commonwealth countries for a minimum period of 3
months. We will grant 75 such scholarships over the next 4 years.
(2.3.) MFN CAHR Membership Program
MFN CAHR welcomes researchers who are interested and involved in research aimed
at improving the health of First Nations, Metis, Inuit, and/or Indigenous populations to
become members of MFN CAHR.
A key role for MFN CAHR is to support new and established researchers in:
updated October 26, 2015
2 of 5
 including research questions of relevance to First Nations, Metis, Inuit and/or
Indigenous peoples in their programs of research
 developing relationships and partnerships First Nations, Metis, Inuit, and
Indigenous individuals, communities, researchers, and organizations

research navigation, etc.
In general, eligibility for membership is involvement and commitment to partnershipbased First Nations, Metis, Inuit and/or Indigenous health research. For more
information, please see our Membership page on this site or contact our office.
(2.4.) Commissioned Research
From time to time, MFN CAHR will communicate opportunities for sponsored research
to its membership, and coordinate sponsored research of relevance to First Nations,
Metis, Inuit, Manitoba Health, the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch of Health
Canada, and other stakeholders. MFN CAHR will extend to its members opportunities to
engage in commissioned research as available, based on the skills and expertise
required by the study.

Each project will have a Principal Investigator who is a member of MFN CAHR

Each PI will report to the Director (on operational requirements and issues
relevant to the Centre). This individual is responsible for insuring the operation of
the project remains consistent with the MFN CAHR criteria.

All contracts will be administered through MFN CAHR.

All residual funds from completed Research Contracts will remain under the
authority and use of the Centre.

All Research Projects must submit their individual Ethics approval submissions to
the Director for review prior to submitting to the University of Manitoba Health
Research Ethics Board.
3. General Conditions/Responsibilities of Membership

All members of the MFN CAHR will conduct their research in accordance with the
highest ethical standards, and implements the principles outlined in article 3 of this
document and the practices outlined in the Framework for Research Engagement
with First Nation, Metis, and Inuit Peoples;1
1
In cases where the values, principles and/or practices of Indigenous partners engaged
in partnership in a study do not align with the values and principles outlined in the
framework, the values, principles and/or practices of the Indigenous partner(s) will
prevail.
updated October 26, 2015
3 of 5

Members may use the facilities of MFN CAHR, such as shared equipment and
meeting rooms, subject to availability. MFN CAHR does not allow meeting rooms to
be booked for non-MFN CAHR members or for non-MFN CAHR-related purposes

University- and community based researchers are expected to contribute to the First
Nation, Metis, Inuit or Indigenous health research effort through collaborations with
other investigators, involvement with training of new researchers, and participation in
the administration of programs. Participation may include activities such as grant
and application review, or other research-related activities

Members conducting research in partnership with MFN CAHR will conduct their
research in compliance with all relevant policies of the University of Manitoba

Members will not undertake activities under the MFN CAHR sponsorship or in the
MFN CAHR facilities that could bring discredit upon the MFN CAHR

Members are encouraged to acknowledge MFN CAHR in all publications and
presentations resulting from First Nations, Metis, Inuit and/or Indigenous research
undertaken while a member of the MFN CAHR

University- and community-based researchers should make every effort to attend the
annual membership meeting in the fall, and to participate in MFN CAHR discussions
and activities
(3.1.) Student/Research Assistant Supervision
All students/research assistants working in the MFN CAHR facilities must be under
supervision of an investigator who is a member of MFN CAHR. The supervisor accepts
responsibility for the student. All students must be registered in an undergraduate or
graduate program at a Manitoba post-secondary institution. Research assistants may or
may not be students.
Where students are eligible for financial support, it is the responsibility of the supervisor
to arrange such support. Students from other departments, facilities and institutions may
work in the facility under supervision. All students/research assistants who are provided
office space within the MFN CAHR will be required to contribute financially or in kind to
offset the cost of their office space.
(3.2.) Annual Membership Meeting
An annual meeting of membership will be held yearly in the fall. The date will be
announced at least one month prior to the meeting. Quorum will be set at two thirds of
current membership. The Director will request a student representative.
Special meetings may be held throughout the year to discuss pertinent issues to the
Centre. Consultations via email may also be undertaken as appropriate.
(3.3.) Use of MFN CAHR Logo
updated October 26, 2015
4 of 5
Members are invited to use the MFN CAHR logo on academic posters or presentation
slides. We ask that any documents/files where the logo is used be submitted to the
Director (or his/her delegate) prior to use. Please note that files may take up to 5 days
to be vetted.
(3.4.) Discontinuance/Suspension of Membership
Affiliation with the MFN CAHR will be suspended if the member ceases to meet the
qualifications of membership, or is, in the finding of a review of memberships, in breach
of the conditions of membership. Termination of membership will result in withdrawal of
supports of the MFN CAHR.
updated October 26, 2015
5 of 5