kawiyahîtamik kesi wîcehtâsôk: (To Examine in Order to Support/Redirect)

Abstract

Recently, human-service providers across Canada have made conscious efforts toward reconciliation through Indigenizing programming. However, while the delivery of programs has shifted, how they are evaluated remains rooted in Western ideologies and methodologies. In response to the tension created by using Western evaluation methods for assessing Indigenous-designed programs, we have developed an Indigenous program evaluation framework based in nêhiyaw (Cree) teachings and co-created by Elders and Knowledge Keepers. We use an illustrative example to demonstrate how an appropriately developed Indigenous program evaluation framework leads to more comprehensive, accurate, and meaningful data collection, evaluation, and recommendations.