The gestational diabetes project [Evidence],^2,3 [Research]^4,5 marked an important stage in the evolution of participatory research practices in the Cree region. In the early 1990s, the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay sponsored research on gestational diabetes in the region. The resulting project became a partnership involving the Board, 4 communities and a university-based research team. The partners carried out community consultations during the planning phase of the project, hired local assistants, reported extensively to the communities during and after the project (in person, on radio and through popular language written reports) and provided the services of 2 nutritionists to the communities; the project also produced unanticipated spin-off research projects. The Cree commentary is a retrospective response by the community partners to the intervention aspects of the project.

Some things are obvious in hindsight. Today, a project like this would be planned through a research agreement based on the Board's code of research ethics and research guidelines. However, these tools have been formalized only recently, as part of the evolution of the partnership between the Cree and research communities. The gestational diabetes project has been a catalyst in this evolution.