Foreword / Phillip L. Smith, MD, MPH -- Introduction: The essential concepts : core values, partnership, and protection / Teshia G. Arambula Solomon, PhD and Leslie R. Randall, RN, MPH, BSN -- The complexity of American Indian and Alaska Native health and health research : historical, social, and political implications for research / Delight Satter, MPH, Leslie L. Randall, RN, MPH, BSN, and Teshia G. Arambula Solomon, PhD -- Overview of epidemiology and public health data in Native American populations / Teshia G. Arambula Solomon, PhD and Leslie L. Randall, RN, MPH, BSN -- Building relationships : step one for researchers working with Indian communities / Leslie L. Randall, RN, MPH, BSN -- The importance of cultural competency : understanding the limits of the outsider's knowledge / Jennie R. Joe, PhD, MPH -- Understanding diversity among indigenous people : conducting research with Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders / Maile Taualii, PhD, MPH, Joey Quenga, Raynald Samoa, MD -- Successful approaches to research through collaborative design and culturally relevant methods / Felicia Schanche Hodge, DrPH and Roxanne Struthers, RN, PhD, CHTP, AHN-BC, CTN -- Guidelines for conducting successful community-based participatory research in American Indian and Alaska Native communities / Lillian Tom-Orme, RN, PhD, MPH, FAAN -- Examples of successful community-based participatory research in American Indian communities / Thomas Welty, MD, MPH -- Case studies: Projects gone awry / Teshia G. Arambula Solomon, PhD -- Developing indigenous research policy : some key considerations for future work / Doris Cook, PhD, MPH -- Ethics of biospecimen research / Francine C. Gachupin, PhD, MPH, CIP and William L. Freeman, MD, MPH, CIP -- Summary: Research in balance / Teshia G. Arambula Solomon, PhD.