aes26 International Evaluation Conference

Authors: Natasha Freeman, Menzies School of Health Research, Edwina Murphy, Menzies School of Health Research
This presentation explores the importance of respecting context and culture when working with First Nations participants and colleagues, rethinking conventional data collection methods and outcome indicators to elicit important learnings.

We will share the experiences of our culturally and professionally diverse team delivering and evaluating Doing It Together, a peer-support and peer-education program for First Nations youth living with type 2 diabetes. The project required a thoughtful and responsive approach to ensure that local First Nations voices were prioritised and processes culturally grounded.

Strengthening capacity across the team through genuine two-way learning was central, recognising that concepts such as “research” and “evaluation” required ongoing discussion to collectively explore their meaning and purpose. This was particularly relevant for team members new to professional roles and, sometimes, in first time employment. Creating this space enabled all team members, particularly youth peer facilitators, to feel comfortable with the project’s intent and direction. It prompted important shifts in data collection and defining impact, more meaningfully reflecting First Nations ways of knowing, being and valuing.

Strategies included supported reflection, discussion and two-way learning, building on established relationships, and adopting a Developmental Evaluation approach to support intentional reflection on processes and outcomes, enabling timely adaptation. We were open to what constitutes meaningful data and valued context-specific insights.

We practised data collection as a skill throughout—learning to elicit and honour stories and lived experience, administer surveys with purpose, and reflect critically on what “impact” and “success” could look like. Data analysis was similarly approached with care, prioritising First Nations youth voices, particularly where differing world views shaped interpretation.

The presentation will be co-facilitated by the Evaluation Officer and an Aboriginal Peer Facilitator. Modelling the project’s relational approach, we will showcase activities used for connecting project participants, inviting audience movement and interaction. We welcome questions throughout.