Grant: Project Grant

THE ISSUE: Indigenous and Northern youth experience sexual and mental health disparities in the Northwest Territories (NWT). Contexts of historical and ongoing racism, disconnection from culture and land, and intergenerational trauma contribute to these health disparities. Our past CIHR-funded research demonstrated the potential of Fostering Open eXpression among Youth (FOXY) and Strengths, Masculinities & Sexual Health (SMASH). FOXY and SMASH are arts-based, culturally grounded, strengths-focused and Indigenous-led sexual health programs to improve sexual health among Northern and Indigenous youth. We also found age, gender and sexual orientation differences in FOXY and SMASH outcomes, pointing to the need for mixed-methods research to further explore and address health needs and priorities of diverse youth in the NWT. OUR IDEA: We will first conduct qualitative research to understand how and why FOXY and SMASH work for improving sexual and reproductive health (SRH), for whom, and in what circumstance. We will then adapt FOXY and SMASH, and conduct a longitudinal cohort study with Northern and Indigenous youth in the NWT to explore trajectories of health and resilience. (1) We will work with a youth advisory board, youth, parents and Elders using human centred design approaches and community engagement to identify how to better meet the needs of youth. (2) We will conduct FOXY and SMASH school-based workshops, with a pre-and post test, 6-month, 12 month and 18-month follow-up surveys. We will explore social ecological factors associated with SRH and resilience trajectories. (3) Interconnected knowledge mobilization. IMPACT: We will gather and integrate multiple knowledge sources to refine sexual health programs to better meet the needs of Northern and Indigenous youth in the NWT, and evaluate the long term effects of participating in arts-based sexual health programs. We fill knowledge gaps of resilience and wellbeing among Northern and Indigenous youth in the NWT.