Grant: CIHR Café Scientifique Program - Open Pool

Dr. Elizabeth Russell, Director of the Trent Centre for Aging & Society (TCAS), in partnership with the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies, located on the treaty and traditional territory of the Mississauga (Michi Saagiig) Anishnaabe, in Peterborough, ON, is pleased to put forward an application to host a CIHR Café Scientifique: "Addressing Ageism through an Indigenous Intergenerational Lens". Research has consistently shown that ageism carries with it serious psychological, social, and health ramifications for older people and can result in inequitable treatment in healthcare. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted and exacerbated the pervasive and serious implications of ageism on older peoples' basic human rights. However, Indigenous perspectives on aging, that value older adults/Elders and their contributions, offer a positive view on aging that fundamentally oppose the typically Western stereotypes, prejudices, and discriminations held against older adults. Further, Dr. Russell's research has shown that intergenerational connectivity can undermine the devastating health implications of ageism. This TCAS-led Café Scientifique will include three keynote speakers (an Indigenous Elder, an Indigenous Aging Researcher, and an Ageism Researcher) and a panel of two additional people (a Community Leader who works with older people, and a Trent Graduate Student studying ageism) to share research on understanding and reducing systemic ageism. Specifically, the event will disseminate research findings on Health and Ageism, Indigenous Perspectives on Ageism, and Intergenerational Perspectives on Ageism. Held in the Peterborough Public Library (A Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund Legacy Space), this accessible event will consider equity, diversity, and inclusion in many ways, especially by taking specific efforts to include older people in the planning, and to invite and hear from older community members from underserved groups at the event.