Ashlee Olujic of ICRG has detailed the organization’s framework for responsible gaming initiatives within Tribal communities. The approach prioritizes direct community engagement and integrates Indigenous knowledge with Western research methods.
Community-Driven Framework
Olujic notes that effective programs require organizations to discard preconceived assumptions and prioritize listening. Each Tribal community maintains distinct governance structures and cultural priorities, meaning standardized solutions rarely apply across different regions. ICRG applies the Two-Eyed Seeing model to this work, treating Indigenous lived experience and Western academic data as equal components of decision-making.While research organizations traditionally rely on quantitative metrics, Olujic emphasizes that spreadsheets cannot capture community dynamics or cultural mentorship impacts. Academic findings and local narratives are treated as complementary rather than competing sources of information. Building long-term trust requires sustained dialogue, with ICRG positioning itself to amplify community voices within broader industry discussions rather than designing external interventions.
The outlined methodology reflects ongoing industry efforts to align responsible gaming policies with local cultural contexts. ICRG continues to develop these engagement practices as part of its broader research and community outreach programs.