Grant: Project Grant

Health, government and community organizations often lack Traditional Knowledge, community leadership/ownership and cultural/gender appropriate perspectives, critical in decreasing healthcare gaps and burden of disease. In our recent Canadian Institutes of Health Research Indigenous diabetes/obesity study, three urban/rural BC Friendship Centres (FC) (Kelowna, Vernon, Williams Lake), local community members and research teams (researchers, Indigenous/non-Indigenous health providers, community members, Elders, Traditional Healers, and youth) identified healthcare gaps: access to healthcare, Traditional knowledge and practices, education in cultural safety, food security, nutrition, exercise, and cultural activities). They prioritized actions for further research and change: Blending of Traditional/Indigenous and Western (mainstream) knowledge using Traditional Talking Circle/Gatherings, ceremony, and land-based healing to build community relationships to provide age-appropriate health education and support services i.e. e-health/telehealth, self-management, traditional healing , ceremony; preparation of traditional/affordable healthy foods; cultural activities (hunting, drumming) and supported group walking/exercise programs. The common goal for this study is to work with six interested BC interior urban/rural Friendship and Métis Centres to blend Traditional and Western Knowledge for optimized health and health equity in holistic patient-centred diabetes and obesity care. This 4 year community-led study, guided by local governance and ownership, values and customs will have full involvement in all aspects of study and sharing knowledge of locally blended diabetes/obesity prevention/management activities/programs. We will co-develop pathway tools/frameworks for culturally safe, equitable, strength-based, site-specific healthcare policies, research, and practice for communities of similar size, geographic and cultural distinctness, nationally and internationally.