Grant: Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

Ontario has the highest proportion of Aboriginal people in Canada and in Northern Ontario ~20% of the population is of Aboriginal descent. There is a great need for research that develops solutions to the continuing health disparities and inequitable access to culturally appropriate health and social services. In the past, research often did not consider traditional ways or involve Aboriginal researchers. As the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report (2015) has underscored, a new approach to research is needed to successfully address the health issues of greatest concern to Aboriginal Peoples. The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) will hold a 2 day Aboriginal Research Gathering, June 2016, to acknowledge the painful past and articulate how to build and support strong, culturally sensitive research partnerships to serve Aboriginal Peoples and communities in the future. The Gathering will be a forum for researchers (including those of Aboriginal descent) and Aboriginal community members to exchange information on past and current research and identify strategies and partnerships in order to plan for future research. The outcome of the Gathering will be documented in a report for dissemination to participants and the public, including a Declaration of Guiding Principles for research that achieves outcomes that have a lasting, positive impact on the health of Aboriginal Peoples and their communities. The Gathering will be combined with the International conference on Community Engaged Medical Education in the North (hosted by NOSM and Flinders University, Australia) and the Northern Health Research Conference (hosted by NOSM). Combining the 3 meetings provides the opportunity for Australian and Canadian Aboriginal community leaders and researchers to come together to acknowledge past research experiences, conduct ceremonies for healing, generate future opportunities for positive and respectful relationships, and plan a new and positive path forward.