Indigenous Knowledge(s) and Public Health
There is a growing awareness of the severity and complexity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis health issues in Canada. The NCCIH’s resources contextualize the distinct and unique historical and contemporary forces which influence First Nations, Inuit and Métis health, health status and health outcomes in Canada. Some of these factors include colonization, intergenerational trauma, racism, urbanization, the social determinants of health, legislation, and health policies and programs.
The NCCIH has increased evidence-informed resources on Indigenous public health and health inequities across Canada. We press for greater First Nations, Inuit and Métis participation in and control of relevant public health initiatives, programs and practices. Our resources address areas where there continues to be incomplete data and information, including Métis-specific and urban Indigenous health and well-being, and the overall absence and inconsistency of health data coverage for First Nations, Inuit and Métis populations. Similarly, we develop tools that effectively and ethically integrate Indigenous knowledge and approaches into dominant public health paradigms, without compromising their meaning or value.
Many of the NCCIH knowledge resources will be of special interest to forward-looking students, educators, researchers, practitioners, community leaders, and policy makers in the fields of public health, medicine, and nursing.