Grant: Operating Grant - PA: First Nations, Inuit and Metis Health

The study stems from a request from health and social service providers from three Aboriginal communities in Northern British Columbia that are associated with BC's newest mine (The Mt. Milligan Mine). Specifically, the research team was asked to: 1) Help identify occupational and community health impacts associated with the construction and operation of the Mt. Milligan mine, and: 2) Develop a framework that is based on these findings and additional research that once implemented, can be used to maximize health benefits and mitigate additional health impacts for these communities. It is also the goal that this framework be applicable to any Aboriginal community or municipality in Canada associated with mineral development. This study builds upon a community-based health research pilot project funded by the Vancouver Foundation. This project has identified significant health needs and health service gaps present in the study communities. The pilot study has also identified that these communities are particularly at risk of mining-induced health impacts, especially as it relates to cultural determinants of health for Aboriginal Peoples. The proposed study focuses on the collection of qualitative and quantitative community-level health and social/traditional determinants of health data and involves the sharing of both academic and traditional knowledge as it relates to mining and community health. A substantial portion of this project is focused on building health research capacity within the study communities with community research coordinators and graduate student trainees identified. Sharing of research knowledge throughout the project with an extensive list of BC mining and health associated stakeholders will seek to improve the current health impact assessment procedures for mineral development and the allocation of health services in mining regions.