Grant: Indigenous Gender and Wellness Development Grants

Alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug among Canadians despite extensive research linking alcohol with negative health outcomes. While Indigenous populations report higher rates of alcohol abstinence, Indigenous people also report higher levels of heavy drinking and among Canadian Indigenous communities, 75% identified alcohol as a community problem. Overall rates of alcohol consumption have generally remained stable; however, alcohol consumption among women is rapidly increasing. In the context of high rates of unplanned pregnancies, and the reality that pregnancy recognition often does not occur until well into the first trimester, increased alcohol consumption among women presents a significant health challenge to Canadians. Indeed, it is estimated that approximately 1% of children born in Canada are affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), and recent population-prevalence studies suggest that this is likely a significant underestimate. One critical barrier to addressing addiction and prenatal alcohol exposure, particularly in the context of Indigenous communities, involves pervasive stereotypes and stigma about alcohol use and FASD. Importantly, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action specifically recognized addiction and FASD as priority areas, with emphasis on preventative programs developed in collaboration with Indigenous people. To this end, the present proposal aims to engage Indigenous communities in knowledge exchange with the goal of co-creating culturally appropriate educational, hands-on activities to learn about the effects of alcohol on health and wellbeing across gender. Specifically, this proposal includes involvement by key stakeholders such as Elders, school partners, and youth, and will incorporate both science principles and Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing, with the overarching goal of empowering youth as self-advocates and catalysts of health and wellbeing within their communities.