Research and evaluation studies in Native communities have been characterized by mistrust and misrepresentation. Most of these missteps are the result of actions by researchers with little or no experience working with Native governments, Native communities, or Native American people. Research has been described as “probably one of the dirtiest words in the indigenous world‟s vocabulary” and researchers have been called “…mosquitoes [who] suck your blood and leave.” In contrast, some program evaluations have been described as positive by both the Native entities and researchers involved.

This paper briefly explores the lessons and challenges of research and evaluation in Native communities, as well as the type of evaluations required by Federal funding sources to determine program effectiveness. It further identifies steps in conducting research and evaluation in these communities and concludes with personal stories of successful evaluation experiences.