Grant: Operating Grant: Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research- Dev Grants

Indigenous Peoples and communities have a long, often challenging relationship around research. In recent years, these relationships begun to be healed and many communities and organizations have become leaders around self-determination in research. At the same time, Indigenous health researchers, many of whom are Indigenous women, have become emboldened and armored with ethical and effective approaches to Indigenous health research fostered by a growing network of scholars. This proposal, entitled Kishaadigeh, or "she who guards the lodge" is led by Indigenous scholars, primarily women and organizations who have a long history of being supported by and participating in the ACADRE/NEAHR programs. Due in part to the success of the ACADRE/NEAHR programs, Indigenous health scholars are now flourishing across campuses and in Indigenous organizations as the leaders and the ones who "guard the lodge". In many of our Indigenous communities, we see the responsibilities of "guarding of the lodge" as also guarding our stories and knowledge, a role often undertaken by women. This NEIHR grant will develop a pathway for existing and upcoming Indigenous scholars (both men and women) to work with Indigenous organizations to clear the path for self-determination over research resulting in meaningful engagement that is ethical and impactful. The NEIHR development grant will look at how to develop research lodges at the Indigenous community level with the First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba (FNHSSM), the Manitoba Association for Friendship Centres (MAC) and the Manitoba Inuit Association (MIA)) that are supported in developing research governance policy and infrastructure that is culturally appropriate and community specific, support the development of Indigenous leadership and the necessary platforms and provide a mechanism for the establishment of a network amongst these research lodges.