Grant: Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

Métis Peoples, while comprising 35% of the Indigenous population in Canada, experience major gaps in access to culturally safe health and social services. These gaps are problematic given the severe disparities in health determinants and outcomes that Métis Peoples experience compared to non-Indigenous Canadians. To address the Métis service gap, the goal of this planning grant is to advance applied research addressing gaps in the relevance and appropriateness of health and social services for Métis women living, working and using services in urban homelands. This planning grant expands on an in-depth exploration study around urban Métis women's identity and experiences with health and social services in Toronto, Ontario. Study results revealed the lack of access to culturally safe services due to racism and discrimination, lateral violence between First Nations and Métis Peoples, and the influence of patriarchy as it relates to Métis identity, health and wellness. This planning and dissemination grant will be used to understand and explore how to build and expand on the experiences of urban Métis women when accessing services.