Thirty years later: A study of the long-term effect of Alaska's boarding schools
on Alaska Natives and their communities

Project Information | Questionnaire | Parent/Other Questionnaire | Travel Schedule | Readings | How to Participate

Consent Form

Principal Investigator
Diane Hirshberg
Assistant Professor of Education Research
Institute of Social and Economic Research
University of Alaska Anchorage
(907) 786-5413

Description
You are invited to participate in a research project exploring the long-term effect of boarding schools on Alaska Native adults, on their families, and on their communities. This study is funded by the Ford Foundation. As part of this study, you are being asked to participate in an interview that will take between one and two hours. We will be asking you questions about your experiences in boarding school or the boarding home program, your opinions of the experience and the education you received, and your thoughts on the lasting outcomes and effects of attending this institution. We would like to record the interview on a cassette tape to ensure that the researcher’s notes are complete. The data we are collecting will be used to write reports and publications and make presentations related to issues of education policy and Alaska Native education issues. We plan to complete our first report in spring 2005.

Potential Benefits and Risks:
Your participation in this study requires a commitment of time on your part. However, if you decide to participate, your willingness to share your experiences and knowledge could provide valuable insights for improving the education policymaking for Alaska and in particular Alaska Natives. There are no foreseeable risks or benefits to you personally with respect to your personal or professional status from participation in this study. However, we are aware that the interview may bring up sensitive or difficult topics and memories for you. At any time during the interview you may take a break or end the discussion. We also have available a list of resources if you wish to talk with a trained counselor about this issue. In appreciation for your participation in our study, we will offer you $25.

Confidentiality
All data will remain confidential. Only the researchers who conduct the interviews will have access to the completed interview write-ups, notes and tapes. These will be kept in a secure file cabinet in the researchers' office to which only they have access. Data will be compiled in such a way that you as an individual cannot be identified. Data that may be used for future research will have any information that could identify you as an individual removed.

Voluntary Participation:
Participation in this study is entirely voluntary. You may refuse to participate now or at any time. You may end the interview at any time, turn off or pause the tape recorder if you wish, or simply not answer any question you do not want to answer.

Contacts:
If you have questions or concerns about these studies please contact Dr. Diane Hirshberg at (907) 786-5413. If you have any questions or concerns about your rights as a research participant, please contact Joanne Thordarson in the University of Alaska Anchorage Office of Academic Affairs at (907) 786-1099.

Consent Form

I acknowledge that I have read and understand the study, and that all of my present questions have been answered. In signing this form, I voluntarily agree to participate in this study.

Name of Participant (printed): _________________________________________