Grant: CIHR Café Scientifique Program - Strategy for Patient Oriented Research (Yukon)

Research in the north, especially with Indigenous communities, was traditionally accomplished with a helicopter fly in approach: university researchers would collect data and leave. Participants were not included in the research process, and often did not hear about the research findings. This method of research did not move us towards a path of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Indeed, western-oriented academic approaches fail to promote Indigenous perspectives and ways of knowing in policies that affect these communities. To improve outcomes and quality of data, it is imperative that Indigenous Peoples, including Elders as keepers of essential information, lead and collaborate on research projects to ensure relevance and cultural safety. The Yukon has 14 First Nations, with Indigenous peoples representing approximately 23% of Yukon's population. They experience proportionately more issues related to service access and population health outcomes than non-Indigenous people. Health research in the Yukon must focus on a strengths-based approach to support Indigenous self-determination in research. It must also be led by communities. Yukon's Strategy for Patient Oriented Research unit is supporting how people with lived experience and communities can support health research to inform policies and program delivery, ultimately improving health outcomes for all people in the Yukon.