Grant: Operating Grant: Knowledge to Action

<html> <body> <p>First Nations (FN) peoples require culturally safe approaches to cancer survivorship that are tailored to their distinct cultural needs including the integration of FN spirituality, traditional medicines, family involvement, connections to FN cancer survivors and that recognize the ongoing impact of colonization (1-3).<br> The overall goal of this Knowledge to Action Grant is to develop culturally responsive methods of Indigenous Knowledge Translation (KT) to improve survivorship transitions for FN people who have experienced cancer. Specific objectives are to: 1) develop and implement an Indigenous KT initiative that integrates survivorship needs of FN peoples into health care approaches and community based programs; 2) evaluate outcomes and experiences of this initiative, including mobilization and integration of FN knowledge; 3) revise and strengthen the Indigenous KT approach; and 4) develop and disseminate a model of Indigenous KT for improving health care delivery for FN people in Canada.<br> We have a team that includes the Mohawk community of&nbsp;Akwesasne, a First Nations community of approximately 12,000 FN people in Ontario, Quebec and New York, and the Aboriginal Cancer Program at the Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre that serves Ottawa, northern and rural Ontario and Nunavik, and delivers the&nbsp;Aboriginal cancer strategy of&nbsp;Cancer Care Ontario.<br> Our research investigators have established long term collaborative partnerships with FN people in the foundational study this proposed study is built on (Gifford, Thomas, Hammond) that documented First Nations peoples' experiences with cancer survivorship. In addition, we have international recognized expertise in KT (Graham, Gifford), and qualitative health research with marginalized populations (Thomas) including the use of photovoice and video production. Together, and with collaborative partnerships with FN people and the Aboriginal cancer program, our expertise will inform Indigenous KT methodologies to improve health care delivery and outcomes for FN people in Canada.<br> Using theoretical underpinning of Indigenous KT which recognizes that FN peoples have a long history of translating their own knowledge into actions, methods will involve 3 sequential phases: 1) Video Creation, that highlights culturally sensitive approaches to integrate cancer survivorship strategies into health care providers approaches and community programs; 2) Community Video Screening with question and answer discussions, and Facilitated Community Engagement for three months; 3) Sharing &amp; Documenting with focus groups, site visits, and reflective journaling.<br> Results will advance knowledge of conducting culturally appropriate Indigenous KT to mobilize and translate knowledge of FN cancer survivorship needs into health care practices, approaches and community based programs and services. Ultimately this will lead to increased follow-up for early detection of cancer in FN people who have had cancer, and culturally appropriate psychosocial supports services and from health care providers and community programs to improve health outcomes, cancer survival rates and quality of life for FN peoples in Canada.<br> The Indigenous KT process developed from this work will be important for translating knowledge to other First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities across the country in culturally responsive ways to improve health care services, quality of life, and health outcomes.</p> </body> </html>