Grant: Project Grant

Equitable access to culturally safe sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care for Indigenous women, LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer+), and Two-Spirit (2S) peoples is a pressing issue across British Columbia. The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Inquiry has drawn attention to the historical and colonial injustices that have shaped the lives of many Indigenous women and Two-Spirit peoples and the utilization of services, including: structural inequity, racism, violence, child welfare, socioeconomic factors, stigma, and discrimination. Building upon a 1-year CIHR Rapid Response Grant, the proposed five-year study focuses on elevating and amplifying the voices of Indigenous women, gender diverse, and Two-Spirit peoples in a powerful way to inform equitable and culturally safe sexual and reproductive health care. The study will use novel approaches, including Indigenous methodologies, community-based participatory action research, quantitative (i.e., AESHA and SHAWNA questionnaire development), qualitative and art-based methods (i.e., photovoice, digital storytelling, beading). This research will be led by and guided by Indigenous researchers, including the Matriarch Advisory Council, and Two-Spirit Advisory which consists of Indigenous Matriarchs, Elders, community members, and Two-Spirit researchers. The proposed program of Indigenous research, called AMPLIFY, will lead to recommendations being shared for health system transformation towards culturally safe sexual and reproductive health services for Indigenous women, gender diverse, and Two-Spirit peoples.