The Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribal Council recognizes the value of research to the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, to Native American people, and to society in general; and accepts that there is responsibility to bear a fair share of the burdens and risks of research along with other communities. However, historically, research has been conducted with Native populations that presented undue risks or harm to the individuals, community or resources, or that misrepresented information regarding language, culture, and traditions and/or have deviated from the original intent of the study outside of the approved protocols. Given this history, the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribal Council recognizes the need for research oversight to protect the people and resources of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate.
SWO Chapter 77 is the tribal law that governs all research performed within the boundaries of the Lake Traverse Reservation. The purpose of this Code is to define tribal research policies, and to establish a means by which tribal research policies will be administered by the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate and to provide for general procedures by which the Local Research Review Board will grant permission to researchers to conduct research on the Lake Traverse Reservation.
Per the SWO Chapter 77 – Research Codes, The SWO Local Research Review Board (LRRB) has the authority to charge fees for conducting research on the Lake Traverse Reservation and are subject to change at any time. In addition, the SWO LRRB has the authority to adjust or waive fees as deemed appropriate.
Chapter 77 – Research Codes: (Title III: Research Administration, 77-03-07), “The Research Office may assess reasonable costs associated with the review of proposals and other materials, including the hire of consultants as needed; any monies generated are for the exclusive use of administration of this Code. Administrative fees are subject to change and are set forth in the procedure manual.”
