Native Americans have suffered a long history of abuse from outside researchers conducting evaluations in their Native communities. Literature suggests that some evaluations in Native communities have betrayed Native members‟ trust because the researchers failed to conduct the studies in a collaborative, transparent, and respectful manner. Because of this history, conducting evaluations, which are required by many Federal funding sources, can pose many challenges.

“Steps for Conducting Research and Evaluation in Native Communities” explores the lessons and challenges of research in Indian Country and identifies the steps that should be taken to ensure the evaluation required by Federal funding sources is effective and respectful of tribal sovereignty and cultural protocol, thus making the experience beneficial to both the government and the tribal community in which the research is conducted.