Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

In Canada, vast inequities exist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth, especially in northern, rural communities. Such inequities include increased rates of teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, malnutrition and unemployment. Research has shown that positive relationships with physicians greatly impacts on health.The goal of this research is to explore relationships between Indigenous youth and their healthcare providers, particularly physicians, by identifying cultural and social factors that encourage or hinder meaningful access to health care.Data will be gathered with youth from remote, northern Indigenous communities in British Colombia where disparities in health are especially prominent. A community-based participatory framework model will guide this research and as such community members' opinions and strategies will be valued and included at every stage of the research process. To gather data, two methods will be used: in-depth interviews and devised theatre. Devised theatre is based on creating a story through collaboration and lived experience and offers a more profound way to understand youth perceptions and experiences.This method will provide Indigenous youth a means of telling a story about their lived experiences with rural health care services and professionals. This information will then be used to work with Indigenous youth to change policy around the health care delivery in northern remote Indigenous communities to better fit the needs of Indigenous youth and decrease disparities in health.