Grant: Indigenous Gender and Wellness Development Grants

Culturally relevant gender-equal approaches embedded in Indigenous ways of knowing and doing promotes equality and addresses gendered impacts of colonialism. Western research approaches fail to account for or value Indigenous worldviews of male-female balance, reciprocity, interdependence and respect, and Two-Spirit people. Knowledge and understanding of Indigenous concepts/roles of gender and how they affect wellness are often not included in research, yet this is critical in relation to identity and community belonging and wellness. Working with our current six Friendship/Métis Centers (FC/MC) partner communities within the BC Interior, they are ready to identify and prioritize community-specific initiatives for youth wholistic wellness. Research Goal: To explore the relationship between gender, wellness and cultural traditions of land-based activities and ceremony related to harvesting for Indigenous Peoples living in urban rural centers. This work will better support Traditional Indigenous principles of gender balance, cultural respect, and consideration for complexities of roles and responsibility, culture, geography, and other factors unique to each community. Indigenous and Western Knowledge and ways of knowing, education, knowledge and understanding of urban rural contexts of youth and gender will be broadened by community member-led activities such as community gatherings, Talking Circles, and other activities for knowledge sharing. These teachings will build a cross generational gender-based perspective to help identify incorrect assumptions, highlight multiple barriers they face and begin to address gender equality issues. Outcomes: To better understand the influence of sex and gender on the health of Indigenous women/girls and men/boys throughout life, and to apply these research findings in identifying and addressing health challenges as a pathway to optimal health.