Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) research team is working toward the establishment of the First Nations Epicentre of Excellence to improve the quality of life for all First Nation citizens of Manitoba and to promote their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing through the creation of a First Nations Health Data Centre for health - for health related research, surveillance, and training. The AMC have always recognized that health information, knowledge and research is critical when it comes to accessing funding, influencing government policy or assessing the effectiveness of policies, services, programs, or public health interventions that effect Manitoba First Nations (MFNs). In pursuing governance of health information and research we recognize the need to build the infrastructure of a statistical institute to collect, analyze, translate and disseminate the information as absolutely necessary if we are to make any improvements in our state of health. The AMC research team has worked towards this vision through the following journey: 1.In 1996 AMC received mandate through Chiefs in Assembly to carry out the Regional Health Survey (RHS), the only national survey across Canada that is First Nations designed, developed and delivered on-reserve. The AMC Research team delivered 3 successful waves of the RHS (1997-98, 2002-03 and 2008-10); RHS data sets are currently housed within the AMC Research Centre; and MFNs Statistical Institute Concept Paper 2005. 2.The AMC Health Information Research Governance Committee (HIRGC) provides governance and guidance over the RHS and regional research projects that involve Manitoba First Nations to ensure research is based on a. Free prior and informed consent, both collective and individual b. First Nations principles of Ownership, Control, Access and Possession (OCAP), as it relates to data and information and; c. First Nations ethical principles (whether Anishinaabe, Ininew, Dakota, Dene or Oji Cree.