Grant: Project Grant

Contemporary literature affirms that colonization explicitly sought to disconnect First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples across Canada from their land and culture. Our histories of colonization and colonialism differ, but many of us are rediscovering Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Being and Doing. Within these knowledge systems, wellness is more wholistic than mere health, encompassing physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Forced disconnection exacerbated by a number of other socioeconomic and structural determinants is recognized as a critical factor in the current health inequities experienced by many Indigenous communities. Substance and alcohol use is a problem in northern Saskatchewan, with the rate of hospitalizations for alcohol-related issues and injuries suffered while intoxicated more than five times the national average. To address these health inequities, the adoption of community-based initiatives entrenched in decolonizing philosophies and strengths-based approaches is strongly recommended. The proposed project will be based in the Northern Village of Pinehouse, Saskatchewan. Following a needs assessment using community-based participatory methods, the Recovery Lake Program (RLP) emerged as a research priority for the community. The community has identified the need to improve RLP and develop a culturally responsive model that can be adapted and contextualized across the region. This research project will explore improving service delivery by incorporating additional land- and culture-based activities as part of the program, conduct process and outcome evaluations. Using Indigenous CBPR principles, this research project specifically focuses on ways to strengthen promising healing practices for promoting wellness in addictions treatment programs. The results will inform recommendations towards policy formulation, program planning and service delivery for culturally relevant health services and programs for Indigenous communities.