The NCCIH acknowledges that there are diverse and emerging public health priorities for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples living in urban, rural, remote and northern communities across Canada. Our centre aims to explore, develop, and share knowledge resources that best reflect these multiple and unique priorities as they arise in Indigenous health.
While the colonial history disrupted Indigenous cultures and languages across Canada, individual and collective healing has begun. It became clear to the NCCIH that First Nations, Inuit and Métis health, well-being and healing are closely tied to land-based experiences, cultural practices, artistic expressions, and Indigenous language use and revitalization. As such, we have developed specific information around these themes and their relationship to wellness. Similarly, our centre has produced resources to show the relationship between cultural safety and better health outcomes for Indigenous peoples.
The NCCIH has also explored traditional approaches and strategies in resources on the emerging priorities of environmental health, chronic diseases, and food security, each of which has been identified as a growing health concern by First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. Emerging public health priorities for Indigenous peoples are constantly changing and evolving. The NCCIH continues to be responsive to new priorities including Two-Spirit health, mental health, and cultural safety.