Date of Award

August 2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Indigenous Health

First Advisor

Andrew D. Williams

Abstract

The Ethical Guidelines for Research Involving Sámi People in Finland represent a critical step toward ethical Indigenous research; however, a gap remains between these principles and their implementation. This study responds to a research priority identified by the Sámi Social Affairs and Health Committee and examines how ethical research guidelines can be operationalized in the collaboration between the Sámi Parliament and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).

An exploratory sequential mixed methods design was employed, grounded in an Indigenous research paradigm and relational accountability. Extensive community engagement was carried out as a foundational part of the research methodology. Then, qualitative interviews were conducted with Sámi professionals and community members (n=20) and THL staff (n=15), followed by surveys among Sámi community members (n=63) and THL staff (n=28). Data were analyzed using thematic analysis with quantitative corroboration.

The findings reveal two intersecting forms of accountability: Sámi relational accountability and THL institutional accountability. Sámi participants emphasized that past research harms continue to influence present-day research relationships, framing ethics as an ongoing relational responsibility rooted in repair and reciprocity. THL participants were supportive of community engagement and trust-building; however, they focused on institutional processes, with limited attention to research power dynamics. These findings underscore the need to extend relational accountability as historically informed, and to introduce power-conscious institutional accountability. It is also necessary to shift the focus of ethical research from trust to trustworthiness by emphasizing institutional responsibility to demonstrate accountability through action. In response, this dissertation develops a Sámi Indigenous methodology-based implementation framework that translates ethical guidelines into concrete methodological and institutional practices, advancing more trustworthy and self-determined Sámi public health research in Finland.

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