Grant: Foundation Grant

Extreme HIV vulnerability of neglected, hard-to-reach Indigenous people, both here and in sub-Saharan Africa is an immediate global concern. My research will develop and test transformative health programs to make sure that Indigenous people in Canada and Northern Uganda connect with HIV prevention services and lifelong, lifesaving HIV care. I have led two studies that have laid the groundwork for this upcoming research: (1) The Cedar Project involved young Indigenous people who use drugs in Canada (2) The Cango Lyec Project involved Acholi people in Northern Uganda in the aftermath of the long civil war and widespread child abduction there. My findings have shown that distress and trauma passed through generations put Indigenous people in both settings at risk of HIV and related infections, other illnesses, and death, as they face tremendous difficulties accessing effective prevention and health care services. This has laid the foundation for the next logical phase of work, namely the development and testing of HIV prevention and treatment programs that build on Indigenous peoples' cultural strengths to promote resiliency and health. This work has been and will be done in full partnership with the respective communities to ensure that the research is relevant and that the findings are implemented. My research program will lead to the development of high-impact prevention and treatment approaches for those most adversely affected by HIV and other epidemics. These findings are expected to have significant impact on reducing health care inequities and the burden of suffering. I believe we have the momentum to make Indigenous health innovation the hallmark of our contribution, with the ultimate aim of improving health care and outcomes in Canada and globally.