Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Canadian Indigenous youth experience poorer health than their non-Indigenous peers. The three Southern Dakelh First Nations recognize these health trends in their young people and want to create a program to support wellness. Before a program can be created, researchers need to better understand the experience of wellness for Dakelh youth. Wellness is affected by multiple factors called the social determinants of health. Indigenous health inequities stem from the colonialism, racism, and social exclusion. It is important to consider all the factors that are significant to preserving Dakelh wellness. Gathering this information was done through surveys and interviews with youth (n=29) and community members (n=19). This project was carried out collaboratively between the University of British Columbia and the Quesnel Dakelh Education and Employment Society. The Quesnel Dakelh Education and Employment Society aims to connect community members with health, social, and educational programs to support their education and employment goals. The organization has secured funding through Jordan's Principle for the project. Jordan's Principle is a Canadian advocacy policy for Indigenous children and youth. The policy acknowledges unfair treatment of Indigenous peoples and provides funding to remedy inequities. This project will contribute to a fuller understanding of wellness for Dakelh youth which will then be used for future program development.