Grant: CG: CBR in Climate Change Pri. Areas-Health Imp. of Climate Change Older Adults

Indigenous communities in Canada are experiencing worsening air quality from heat events and wildfires due to climate change, which contributes to serious health issues like cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Rural Indigenous communities often lack resources for air quality monitoring and improving indoor air quality. This is especially concerning for more vulnerable populations, such as Indigenous Elders and older adults. Collaborating with Lytton First Nation and Environment and Climate Change Canada, our team previously developed an Educational Toolkit for Understanding Air Quality & the Impacts on Health and Well-Being in Indigenous peoples, focusing on the Air Quality Health Index. Now, we aim to build on this by co-creating culturally safe learning resources in collaboration with leading non-profit organizations dedicated to the health and wellness of Indigenous peoples, and Indigenous community leaders, Knowledge Keepers, Sex and Gender Champions, emergency personnel, and health representatives throughout Canada. Using a community-based participatory and strengths-based research approach, our project will weave in virtual sharing circles and co-creation design sessions. These methods will ensure that the learning resources reflect the ongoing and unique community vision, broad cultural practices, and traditional teachings. By honouring Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing, these resources will be culturally safe and relevant, addressing the specific impacts of poor air quality experienced Elders and older adults in rural Indigenous communities. Ultimately, this collaborative effort aims to empower rural Indigenous communities to better protect our aging adults, deepening the roots of self-determination and resilience in response to climate change.