Grant: Project Grant

The Métis are post-contact Indigenous peoples of Canada with a unique combination of identity, values, language, and cultural traditions. They have been referred to as "hidden" Indigenous peoples because of the lack of health research and service policies specific to their needs and experiences. There are not many studies on Métis health and particularly about Métis children's health. Most research on this area groups the experiences of Métis, First Nations, and Inuit children together. The first decade of life is an important period for the influences of key genetic, biological and socioenvironmental factors It is important to understand the ways in which factors that affect the health and well-being of Métis mothers influence the healthy development of Métis children. Lii Zaanfaan means "the children" in Michif, the traditional language of the Métis. From a Métis perspective, the health of children is deeply linked to the health of their families, communities, and the land. This perspective is supportive of broader knowledge on social determinants of health and childhood development. This research results from a long-standing collaboration between the Métis Nation of Alberta and academic partners to develop community relevant knowledge to inform Métis-specific health initiatives. The project has three objectives: 1) evaluate health and well-being trajectories of Métis children during the first 10 years of life and the influences of maternal and social factors on these outcomes; 2) explore perspectives of Métis children and their families on social, environment and cultural factors that influence well-being and healthy development of children, and 3) identify community-led, culturally meaningful Métis initiatives to promote Métis children's health and well-being through cultural healing and self-determination. We will use a variety of quantitative and qualitative research methods that are culturally acceptable within a Métis context.