To protect Cherokee Nation (CN) citizens from research harm, an Institutional Review Board (CNIRB) was created by Tribal law on August 11, 1997.

The CNIRB has a mandate to protect the rights and welfare of Cherokee citizens from research harm as well as follow Tribal research priorities and Federal regulations.

The CN believes biomedical and behavioral research is valuable, so the CNIRB provides a formal mechanism for approval and oversight. In addition, the CNIRB is an exercise of our sovereign rights to govern and protect citizens.

The CNIRB consists of 17 members who are physicians, public health professionals, behavioral health providers, social scientists, language and cultural experts, community members, lawyers as well as regional university faculty. Tribal IRBs cover more research areas than traditional IRBs and works with the researcher before, during and after a research project. The CNIRB promotes a community-based participatory research model.

All research findings must be shared with the Tribe, first, and results published in a manner sensitive to Cherokee culture and values. All of this protects Tribal sovereignty from irresponsible interpretation or publication of data concerning Cherokee Nation citizens.

The CNIRB ensures alignment with Tribal research priorities and thus avoids depleting or diverting precious Tribal resources from direct patient care.

The CNIRB is governed by our own by-laws and a publication and presentation review policy. In addition, the CNIRB is registered with the national Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) which provides approved Federal Wide Assurance. The CNIRB coordinates with the National and Oklahoma Area Indian Health Service IRB.

For questions or concerns about research being conducted in the Cherokee Nation on Cherokees, contact Dr. Sohail Khan, Director of Health Research and Co-Chair CNIRB, at sohail-khan@cherokee.org.

This past week, I had the opportunity to travel midweek to Washington, DC for the Advisory Council on Minority Health to provide input on health care reform following Monday’s Tribal Council meetings. Before the week was done, I was in Albuquerque sharing the CNIRB with other Tribes who do not yet have IRB protections in place for their citizens.

To contact the Tribe, call 453-5000. The operator will connect you with the appropriate department.

Tribal programs and services are administered by the Chiefs staff at the Tribal Complex. Tribal hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Save a trip to Tahlequah by using the Tribes Internet tools at www.cherokee.org. Almost all applications are available online to print from home. If you have questions, issues or concerns about the Cherokee Nation government, please email me at cara@caracowan.com or write me at P.O. Box 2922, Claremore, OK 74018. For daily news and event notices, ask to be added to my District 7 email listserv.

You can, also, find me on Facebook and Twitter.

n Cara Cowan Watts is deputy speaker, Cherokee Nation Tribal Council and elected legislator of District 7 - Will Rogers.