Indigenous Evaluation Research
In each community, research was carried out from the ‘ground up’. The first step was to develop small local research teams – comprised of experienced researchers and mentorees – who could design and carry out a series of community consultations. The second step was for these teams to conduct real-time evaluations of government engagement, providing feedback to government on their engagement practices.
As an approach, it seems there is considerable potential for this model to continue providing feedback to government on their engagement activities and to be developed elsewhere.
Recommended Potential Engagement Evaluation Arrangements
GALIWIN’KU
Through this project, it has been proposed that future engagement evaluation research carried out in Galiwin’ku may be auspiced by Yalu’ Marŋgithinyaraw, supported by an Engagement Advisory Board, and carried out by a small team of local Yalu’ researchers.
- Yalu’ Marŋgithinyaraw is a Yolŋu research organisation whose name translates as ‘nest for knowledge’. This organisation is the appropriate contact point for any government staff seeking to engage the services of the Galiwin’ku Engagement Advisory Board, or the engagement evaluation research team.
- The Galiwin’ku Engagement Advisory Group is an appropriate go-to group for government staff beginning new projects/engagements. The board is comprised of 8 senior community members, and can be convened by Yalu’ when necessary. The group are available to support government staff by directing them to the right people and organisations to talk to. This board also advises the local Galiwin’ku engagement evaluation research team.
- The Galiwin’ku engagement evaluation research team is comprised of a shifting cast of researchers and mentorees. This group can be convened by Yalu’ to carry out engagement evaluation research, providing feedback to government on the quality and character of engagement activities. They will work closely with the Galiwin’ku Engagement Advisory Board, and generate feedback through community consultation, production of video footage and use of an engagement scorecard.
NGUKURR
Through this project, it has been proposed that future engagement evaluation research carried out in Ngukurr may be auspiced by Gumbula Consultancies, carried out by a small team of local researchers and potentially supported by the Stronger Communities for Children Board.
- Gumbula Consultancies is a business providing a range of services including consultancy, negotiation, interpreting, mediation and two-ways cross cultural training. The business is managed by Ian Gumbula, in collaboration with his wife Mercy Gumbula. They work closely with clients to ensure an ethical approach to business and both have previous experience as researchers and consultants. This business is an appropriate contact point for any government staff seeking to engage the services of the engagement evaluation research team.
- The Ngukurr engagement evaluation research team is currently comprised of three senior researchers – Ian Gumbula, Mercy Gumbula and Gwen Rami – with extensive experience of conducting research and evaluation work in Ngukurr, as well as a shifting cast of mentorees. This group can be convened by Gumbula Consultancies to carry out engagement evaluation research and provide feedback to government on the quality and character of engagement activities. They will generate feedback through community consultation, production of video footage and use of an engagement scorecard.
- The Stronger Communities for Children (SCfC) Board has been identified as an appropriate community organisation that could support and advise on engagement evaluation research in Ngukurr. This board is voluntary and is made up of men and women from the seven clans in Ngukurr. If its advisory capacity were to be drawn on in relation to future evaluation work, this role would need to be further negotiated with the members.
PROJECT EVALUATIONS BY COMMUNITY RESEARCHERS
