Grant: Project Grant

SLINGSHOT (Kashipessapent) - Strengthening Land-based INnu knowledge for well-being through Gathered Stories of waters, Healthy land and wildlife, Our people, and Trusted one health data - was co-created with the Sheshatshiu and Mushuau Innu First Nations and embraces Innu wisdom, culture, and lived experience. Guided by Innu leadership and grounded in Innu knowledge systems, this research addresses the Innu expressed need for health information that is gathered and shared in ways that align with Innu values and is founded in relationships with their water, land, and wildlife. Addressing these clearly voiced needs is critical to improving community health and advancing Innu self-determination, ultimately enabling the Innu Health Directors in the Sheshatshiu and Mushuau Innu First Nations to implement informed protective measures in their communities. The research team, comprised of non-Innu and Innu researchers, aim to co-develop new protocols and methods to implement appropriate community-wide, wastewater health monitoring systems and water, land and wildlife health monitoring systems in both Innu First Nations. By weaving Innu knowledge with health and environmental methodologies, the project will co-develop sustainable approaches to sample, test, and identify pathogens of concern affecting Innu people and contaminants in water, land, and wildlife that impact human health. Methods to capture, interpret and share health information will be developed through Innu knowledge systems, anchoring the water, land, wildlife, and community health data in Innu understandings of well-being (minuinniuin). This research will build lasting community capacity to generate trusted and relevant health information embedded in Innu knowledge that will advance Innu self-determination and Innu sovereignty and empower Innu Health Directors to make informed health decisions and implement timely health interventions to protect Innu Peoples.