Grant: Project Grant

Contemporary literature affirms that colonization explicitly sought to disconnect First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples across Canada from their land and culture. This forced disconnection, in combination with a number of other historical, socioeconomic and structural determinants, is recognized as an enabling factor in the current health inequities faced by many Indigenous communities. To address these health disparities, the adoption of community-based and -driven initiatives has been strongly recommended. The proposed research project will be based in two northern Saskatchewan communities - the Northern Village of Pinehouse and the Northern Hamlet of Patuanak. Both communities have identified projects with an emphasis on cultural continuity in the areas of addressing mental wellness and elder care issues. There will be an additional focus on fostering nation-to-nation relationships in the development and implementation of these projects to strengthen capacity within these communities. We propose that dedicating resources to community-led initiatives, building strong relationships of trust and mutual respect between academia and Indigenous communities, applying an inclusive lens in sharing knowledge about approaches to wellness, increasing community capacity and strengthening collaborative relationships offer a promising path toward reconciliation. We also contend that to establish equitable community-based, culture-driven and person-centred initiatives to achieve wellness, it is critical that Indigenous communities lead the way.