Grant: Doctoral Research Award - Priority Announcement - HIV/AIDS and/or STBBI

First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) young people should have free and easy access to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines to prevent cancer, but rates of cancer caused by HPV remain higher in FNMI people than the general population. Therefore, it is important that we figure out whether Métis people are getting vaccinated for HPV, and if not, why not, and what would be helpful? The study will happen in three phases, starting with an online community survey to Métis Albertans. Phase two will analyze government health data to learn how many Métis people were vaccinated for HPV in the past. This information, in connection with the survey information, will help inform the final study. Phase three will use a Métis research method of keeoukaywin or 'visiting' with different Métis people in communities across Alberta, to try to understand the reasons people do, or do not, get vaccinated for HPV. All parts of the study will consider whether age, gender, sex, sexuality, disability, and Métis identity have an impact on vaccination and experiences of getting vaccinated. Throughout the process, Métis Nation of Alberta community members will help make decisions about how the study is conducted, how the data are analyzed and shared, and what is done with the information. We hope that through the process, community members become engaged and support HPV related cancer prevention activities for Métis Albertans. The ultimate goal of this study is to inform future development of intervention strategies, policy decisions, and community action supporting HPV vaccination in Métis youth.