Grant: CIHR Café Scientifique Program

In Canada, Indigenous communities face health inequities which are related to long standing social, political and economic disparities between Indigenous communities and the general public. Addiction and substance abuse are of particular concern to Indigenous communities, as Elders and community members recognize increasing rates of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) among children born in their communities. In response to substance abuse and increased rates of FASD, the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation invited the University of Alberta to partner in a collaborative effort to establish a school-based substance abuse prevention program. After successfully adapting, implementing and evaluating three years of a Life Skills Training program, the Maskwacis First Nations became aware of the project and initiated a partnership with the U of A to establish a similar program in their communities. We will host two Cafe Scientifiques; one in Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation and one in the Maskwacis First Nations,both near Edmonton, Alberta. In these two Cafe Scientifiques, we will discuss addiction and substance abuse in First Nations through a panel which include two CIHR funded researchers (Dr. Lola Baydala and Dr. Cheryl Currie), and key community members (Ms. Natasha Rabbit, Ms. Sherry Letendre and community Elders).