The Principal Investigator Sharman Haley and CoPI Lisa Scharzburg propose a Small Grant for Exploratory Research to explore community collaboration on a proposal to research the implications of changing child-birthing practices on Alaska Native cultures and communities. The project will lay the groundwork for a very innovate study of the relationship between increased western medical intervention in child-bearing among the Inupiat and changes in cultural conceptions of family, community, and "well being." In addition, the researcher will work closely with the Maniilaq Health Association, Northwest Alaska, in designing the research and identifying participants. This preliminary work of consultation with the community on research design and implementation will facilitate future research in this area.
