IAPH Newsletter - Spring 2010
Table of Contents
- Message from Angeline Letendre, Associate Director
- Partnerships: NAHO National Conference, Ottawa
- Professional Profiles: Introducing Janet Smylie
- Northern Health: A Snapshot of the North
- Out and About
- Knowledge Translation: Knowledge Translation and Indigenous Knowledge
- Scientific Director's Award of Excellence 2010
- Call for Abstracts: 10th National Gathering of Graduate Students
- Beyond Borders / International News
- IAPH Staff & Advisory Board Members
- Dates to Remember
- Links
- Ethics
- IAPH Information Sources
Message from Angeline Letendre, Associate Director
(special greeting in Inuktitut from Associate Director Angeline Letendre, developed for Inuit Health summit in Iqaluit, May 10 and 11, 2010) [ PDF (250 KB) | Help ]
Dear Community Members:
The first year at the University of Alberta for CIHR-Institute of Aboriginal Peoples’ Health has quickly come and gone. As of May 13, 2010, we will have completed a national dialogue process through a series of Aboriginal Health Research Summits (AHRS) with First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples. The knowledge we have gained through these meetings with individuals working at a grassroots level in areas that impact health and wellness is considerable and will inform IAPH’s 2011-2015 strategic plan. As well, new relationships with dedicated Aboriginal professionals from a range of disciplines will have been initiated. A final report, expected October 1, 2010, will provide details of the project.
To share what was learnt during the Summit process, major organizations involved in Aboriginal health, as well as provincial and/or tribal leadership, will be invited to a stakeholder meeting in Ottawa. This meeting, hosted by CIHR-IAPH, will be held June 22-23, 2010. It is our hope these endeavours will lead to increased national collaboration through the development of health research opportunities that work toward the improved health of First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities.
Heading into its 11th year, IAPH and the other 12 Institutes of CIHR, will undergo an International Review Process. In preparation, activities are being undertaken to demonstrate important advancements that have been made in Aboriginal health and health research. Advancements include creation of nine, university situated, Network Environments for Aboriginal Health Research (NEAHR) Centres. These Centres may be credited with the training of hundreds of Aboriginal health researchers, many of whom are working in university settings and within government organizations.
Significant plans for the coming years include: increasing participation in and development of International Indigenous partnerships, playing a key role in peer review and ethics review boards’ education and increasing funding opportunities for health researchers and Aboriginal communities working in areas of Aboriginal health and health knowledge exchange.
It is our sincere hope that Aboriginal peoples of Canada will continue to take a vested interest in IAPH so that together we can work toward improving the lives and wellbeing of First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities and families in meaningful ways through culturally acceptable avenues.
Respectfully,
Angeline Letendre, RN PhD,
Associate Director
Partnerships
National Aboriginal Health Organization’s 2009 Conference
The National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) hosted the national conference, Our People, Our Health, in Ottawa, ON from November 24 to 26, 2009. The conference brought together 732 Aboriginal health care professionals from across Canada, the United States and abroad for an engaging and informative gathering. NAHO and funding partner CIHR-IAPH are confident the information shared at the conference will help to improve the health and well being of First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals, families and communities.
 From left: Anne-Marie Robinson: Assistant Deputy Minister of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Dr. Paulette Tremblay: CEO NAHO, Dr. Alain Beaudet: President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Susan Dahlseide: Chair, NAHO. Anne-Marie and Paulette are also Institute of Aboriginal Peoples’ Health Board Members. |
 2009 National Aboriginal Role Model, Amber Asp-Chief, Long Point First Nation, Quebec and Talhtan Nation performing a hoop dance at the conference banquet. |
 From left: Pierre S. Haddad, University of Montreal and Willie Ermine, First Nations University of Canada, IAPH board members and panelists on the Ethical Standards for Research Involving Traditional Healing - Aboriginal Health Research Networks and NAHO Joint Initiative panel. | |
| Photos by Sean Jacquemain | |
Professional Profiles
Introducing Janet Smylie, MD, MPH, CCFP (Métis)
Dr. Janet Smylie is a family physician and public health researcher. She is passionate about health data, particularly for urban Aboriginal peoples and young Aboriginal families. She believes the health of every First Nations, Inuit, and Metis infant, child, and adult counts and is committed to ensuring each is involved in the governance and management of their health data.
Dr. Smylie currently works as a research scientist in Aboriginal health at St. Michael's hospital, Centre for Research on Inner City Health. An Associate Professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Dr. Smylie also maintains a part-time clinical practice at Seventh Generation Midwives Toronto. She is currently involved in health data research partnerships with numerous First Nations, Inuit, and Metis communities and organizations at the community, regional and national level. Ongoing projects include: development of an urban Aboriginal health database in Ontario using respondent driven sampling; an Indigenous knowledge network for infant, child, and family health; enhancement of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis infant mortality rate data; bridging the gap between local Aboriginal community knowledge systems and public health research. She has recently been awarded a five year CIHR operating grant to implement and evaluate an Indigenous knowledge network for infant, child and family health.
Janet’s research interests are focused in the area of Aboriginal public health and include: health indicators of relevance to Aboriginal communities; interfacing Indigenous knowledge and Western science; and the health of young Aboriginal families. She has also received a CIHR New Investigator award in Knowledge Translation. Janet completed her Masters of Public Health degree at Johns Hopkins University. She has practiced and taught family medicine in a variety of rural and urban Aboriginal communities. She is past Director of the Indigenous Peoples Health Research Centre in Saskatchewan and past vice-president of the Indigenous Physicians Association in Canada. Dr. Smylie is currently an advisory board member for the Institute of Aboriginal Peoples Health (CIHR).
Northern Health: A Snapshot of the North
Fries with your caribou? Convenience foods, lifestyle changes and global warming are putting Northerners’ nutritional health at risk
Soaring diabetes rates, startling increases in cardiovascular disease: the state of nutritional health in Canada’s North is of critical concern. CIHR assembled a panel of four experts to discuss this timely and important issue. A quote from each panelist, drawn from the interview, follows. An edited summary of their discussion may be accessed for Fries with your caribou?.
“There are a lot of Indian kids that would not eat wild food. That comes with colonization. They figure that wild food is inferior to white man’s food.” - Dene Elder Francois Paulette.
“If more of our people were encouraged to continue hunting and trapping for example, you’d have young adults coming out of high school having that as an option, so that they learn it as a business.” - Chief Bill Erasmus, Regional Chief of the Northwest Territories Assembly of First Nations.
“If you want to make a change, of course there can be research on how to change people, but there’s no doubt about it: we’re at the stage where we need to really step up community-level education in partnership with the community people.” - Dr. Harriet Kuhnlein, Professor Emerita, McGill University.
“The packaged food is full of trans fats, etc. I can see two big angles. One is how to promote, as much as possible, in terms of accessibility and youth training and willingness, the use of local food. The other side is how to restrict, ban or act on the quality of the imported food.” - Dr. Eric Dewailly, Professor of Social and Preventive Medicine at Université Laval.
Out and About
Olympic Torch Relay
Métis elder Elsie Yanik, Fort McMurray’s Cauldron Lighter, held the torch high on November 6, 2009 when the Olympic Flame was in Fort McMurray, Alberta. For over three decades, Yanik has contributed her time, energy, passion and talents as a volunteer in Fort Chipewyan and Fort McMurray providing advice and inspiration to many students, young and old, in the community.
When Keyano College opened its doors in 1976, Yanik provided childcare services to mothers who attended the college and has been volunteering with the school since. In 2006, she received the Wild Rose Foundation Volunteer of the Year Award for her tremendous involvement and positive influence. Yanik has also received four regional Aboriginal Recognition Awards and was the recipient of the Keyano College Distinguished Citizen Award in 2001.
Yanik represents the spirit of volunteerism, community involvement and kindness and exemplifies the cores values of her community.
Courtesy of ©VANOC/COVAN Day 8 - Cauldron Lighter - Elsie Yanik.
CIHR-IAPH 2010 Aboriginal Health Research Summits (AHRS)
The 2010 AHRS is a national dialogue project with First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples of Canada. Developed by the CIHR-Institute of Aboriginal Peoples’ Health (CIHR-IAPH), approximately 80 Aboriginal professionals from disciplines such as medicine, nursing, social work, education, addictions, community health, and research were brought together.
Participants were asked to share their experiences and knowledge in relation to community health and wellness issues, and existing or potential collaborative community and/or community-research initiatives in Aboriginal health. Areas of discussion included social determinants of health, research and community ethics, health data, Indigenous knowledge/traditional medicine, community knowledge, knowledge translation, and mental health.
The dialogue process was initiated in Edmonton, February 9-10, by bringing together 13 Elder or Knowledge Holder and Youth pairs from across the country. The gathering provided a foundation, built upon the importance of cultural knowledge and teachings to the health and wellness of Aboriginal peoples, for the entire series. The remainder of the Summits then took place from within a four-directions model as follows:
- Southern Summit & Metis Community and Culture Celebration-Regina, March 26-27
- Western/Coastal Summit & First Nations Community and Culture Celebration-North Vancouver (Squamish), April 14-15
- Eastern/Atlantic Summit & Urban Aboriginal Community and Culture Celebration-Montreal, April 26-27
- Northern Inuit Summit & Inuit Community and Culture Celebration-Iqaluit, May 10-11
Knowledge Translation
“Knowledge Translation and Indigenous Knowledge”
(Smylie J., McShane K., Kaplan-Myrth N., Prince C., Tugwell P., Valaskakis G., Tait C., Hogg B., Martin C., Siedule C., Wellington P., Kauffeldt M., Tugansuvvingat Inuit Family Resource Centre, Métis Nation of Ontario – Ottawa Council, Pikwakanagan First Nation)
This multi-year CIHR funded research project was designed to pilot and evaluate models of Indigenous knowledge translation in partnership with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) communities. In the first phase the team reviewed the published literature and consulted with key FNMI stakeholders regarding Indigenous understandings of knowledge translation. At the same time we worked with FNMI communities to get a baseline understanding of pathways of health knowledge dissemination and uptake in each community. Major findings in this initial phase were:
- Mainstream models of knowledge translation may be limited by their underlying assumptions in Indigenous contexts. There is a need for Indigenous specific understandings and models of health knowledge translation.
- Existing knowledge translation processes were diverse, distinct, and linked to local community structures, geography, history, and culture in the three partner communities.
- A participatory approach can successfully engage community partners in Indigenous knowledge translation research.
In the second part of the study we partnered with each of the three communities to develop tailored knowledge projects in a community identified priority health area. An interactive CD-ROM of an Inuit elder sharing prenatal teachings was developed and evaluated; we piloted a series of Métis community cultural gatherings as our Indigenous knowledge translation “vehicle”; and with the First Nations community we supported a youth drop in program and evaluated the impact of this program on youth health and health behaviours.
In conclusion we demonstrated:
- Understanding local Indigenous processes of knowledge creation, dissemination, and utilization is an important prerequisite to effective health knowledge translation in each of the three communities.
- Community based Indigenous participatory research approaches “build in” knowledge translation and facilitate Indigenous community knowledge leadership.
- Tangible changes in health knowledge behaviour and/or health status in each of the three participant communities were linked to each of the tailored community based knowledge translation interventions.
More information about this project can be found in the following publication and/or by contacting Dr. Smylie.
Smylie, J., Martin, CM., Kaplan-Myrth, N., Steele, L., Tait, C., Hogg, W. “Knowledge Translation and Indigenous Knowledge”. International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 2004; 63 (suppl 2):139-143
Scientific Director's Award of Excellence 2010
The CIHR-IAPH Scientific Director's Award of Excellence recognizes outstanding students in Aboriginal health research at the Master and Doctoral levels. Four awards are given to trainees who demonstrate a high potential to become outstanding Aboriginal health researchers. Awards are available in the following health domains: biomedical; clinical; health services and systems; population and public health. Applications must be in electronic format, must not exceed two pages, and include:
- Full contact information of the applicant including applicant's academic credentials and university and program of study
- A 250 word abstract describing the research project, its potential for improving knowledge of Aboriginal health, the health domain(s) the research is in, and name of the research supervisor
- A brief (2-3 sentences) description of career goals of the applicant
Send to: Angeline Letendre, Associate Director, CIHR Institute of Aboriginal Peoples Health; Email: letendre@ualberta.ca
Call for Abstracts: 10th National Gathering of Graduate Students
Graduate students at any stage of research are invited to submit abstracts for the 10th National Gathering of Graduate Students to be held at the University of British Columbia, June 24-26, 2010. The conference, funded by CIHR-IAPH, will be organized according to evolving themes from the abstract submissions. Submissions should be submitted by May 28, 2010, and include: name and contact information, university and NEAHR affiliations, an abstract describing your work (maximum 200 words), a biography (maximum 80 words), your preferred presentation format (either a 20 minute oral presentation with 10 minutes for questions or a poster presentation), three keywords that best describe your research, audiovisual and presentation material requirements.
Send to: Sharon Thira; 2125 Main Mall, Scarfe Building, UBC, Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1Z4; Telephone: 604-827-5464; Email: Sharon.thira@ubc.ca.
Beyond Borders / International News
Centre for Indigenous Peoples’ Nutrition and Environment (CINE) Indigenous Peoples' Food Systems for Health Promotion: Global Health
Indigenous Peoples are among the most marginalized and disadvantaged populations in both developed and developing countries. With cultural homelands in the most rural areas of developing regions, they experience common problems in relation to their traditional food systems, food security and health. This project addresses resources and knowledge Indigenous Peoples have for good nutrition and health status often in the midst of extreme financial poverty.
An aim is to develop health promotion activities using local indigenous food to improve nutritional health and to demonstrate that this principle works in many indigenous areas globally. The project links local academics and indigenous communities in each global region (including Canada’s north) with defined food systems that are reasonably intact and without environmental toxic threats. The ultimate goal is to document successful food-based strategies to protect health status of Indigenous Peoples using their local food systems.
Food and nutrition tables are being compiled from information gathered in interviews with key informants and focus groups. This resource is intended for health professionals and researchers in dietary assessment, and nutrition promotion programs. For more information access visit McGill: CINE Indigenous Peoples' Food Systems for Health Promotion: Global Health or see IUNS Task Force on Indigenous Peoples' Food Systems, or for videos access, visit IndigenousNutrition.org.
Used with permission of Centre for Indigenous Peoples’ Nutrition and Environment.
IAPH Staff & Advisory Board Members
The IAPH is led by Scientific Director Dr. Malcolm King, who in turn is aided by staff and an Advisory Board. The advisory board is composed of a diverse group of national and international representatives of the public, private and non-profit sectors. Featured this issue is Janice Mathewsie, IAPH Project Officer and board members Anne-Marie Robinson and Paulette Tremblay.
Janice Mathewsie, BMgt (Inuk)
Janice feels privileged to have been raised traditionally in the far north, an area of great beauty. Born in the Inuit community of Iqaluit, Nunavut, she was raised in Cape Dorset where her family practiced traditional Inuit customs. Like many other Inuit families they spent summers out on the land, traveling by canoe to a summer camp and relocating as necessary to follow quarry. Janice’s mother-tongue is Inuktitut; she is a fluent speaker and competent reader and writer of the language.
Following completion of secondary school studies Janice worked for several years in various positions within the municipal, territorial and federal governments. She served as Director of Communications for the Qikiqtani Inuit Association and later worked for Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated. Successful completion of the Nunavut Advanced Management Program in 2004 prompted a turning point in her life and in January 2005 she began post secondary studies in Edmonton, AB. She graduated from Concordia University College of Alberta in May 2008 with a Bachelor of Management Degree.
Janice now works as Project Officer for the Institute of Aboriginal Peoples’ Health where her primary responsibilities include providing support to CIHR-IAPH staff in relation to special projects and services, serving as liaison between the Institute’s Executive staff and the Institute Advisory Board, promoting cross-cultural understanding, and facilitating communications between the Institute and Aboriginal communities. Janice enjoys the challenges and variety the position brings and is honoured to be part of the Institute team and working on behalf of Aboriginal peoples.
Anne-Marie Robinson, MSc, BSc (Algonquin)
Anne-Marie Robinson was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB), Health Canada, in October 2008. Prior to joining Health Canada, Ms Robinson was Vice-President of the Corporate Management Branch of the Public Service Commission of Canada (PSC) since August 2004. She joined the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs (DIAND) in 1997 as Director of Policy for the Specific Claims Program and held the position until the fall of 2000 when she assumed the responsibilities as Director General, Litigation Management Branch.
Starting her public service career in 1990 as a GST auditor for Customs and Excise, she then joined the Management Trainee Program (MTP) in 1993 and left the taxation field to complete the MTP assignments at the Canadian Corporations Directorate, Consumer and Corporate Affairs, and the Policy Research Directorate, DIAND. From 1995 to 1997, Anne-Marie held positions both at Human Resources Development Canada and the Privy Council Office in the area of Aboriginal Policy.
Anne-Marie Robinson holds a Bachelor of Science in Geological Science, an Honours Bachelor of Commerce, and a Masters of Science in Business.
Paulette Tremblay, PhD, MA, BA, BEd (Mohawk)
Paulette Tremblay is CEO of the National Aboriginal Health Organization and an adjunct professor for the Institute for Traditional Knowledge at Six Nations. She has also served as the Senior Executive Officer for the Six Nations Council and National Liaison for the Chiefs of Saskatchewan. She is a former Professor of the Six Nations Polytechnic Institute, Algonquin College and the University of Ottawa, was Director of Education for the Assembly of First Nations and for the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation. She also has experience working as a researcher for the University of Ottawa and as a professional consultant in the private sector. She was also a disbursing clerk in the US Navy during the Vietnam War.
Paulette Tremblay's passion for education and life-long learning is reflected in her commitment to the development of matters of importance to FN/I/M peoples. She believes that we all learn and teach in our own unique ways. She has administered scholarships and awards; has developed and delivered curriculum and educational materials; and conducted program and course evaluations. She has engaged in educational functions; lobby and advocacy activities; and in evaluation, research, training and consulting initiatives at local, provincial, national and international levels.
She earned a Bachelor of Education from Dalhousie University, a BA in Sociology from Wilfred Laurier University, and both her MA in Education and a PhD in Philosophy in Education from the University of Ottawa.
Dates to Remember
- May 2-5, 2010: UNESCO Chair in Bioethics International Conference on Bioethics Education: Contents, Methods, Trends. Zefat, Israel
- May 24-28, 2010: Knowing Your Roots: Indigenous Medicines, Health Knowledges and Best Practices, Poulsbo, Washington State
- May 28, 2010: Abstract submission date for participation in National Gathering of Graduate Students in Aboriginal Health Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
- June 24-26, 2010: 10th Annual National Gathering of Graduate Students in Aboriginal Health Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
- July 11-15, 2010: 20th IUHPE World Conference on Health Promotion, Geneva
- September 3-10, 2010: Healing our Spirit Worldwide, 6th Gathering, Honolulu
- October 28-30, 2010: 17th Inuit Studies Conference. Val-d´Or, Québec
Links
Organizational Links
- Aboriginal Health Research Networks (AHRNet) Secretariat
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research
- National Aboriginal Health Organization
- Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada
Articles
- “Knowledge Translation and Indigenous Knowledge” (Smylie, et al)
- “Understanding Knowledge Translation in an Urban Inuit Community” (Smylie, et al)
- “Sharing what we know about living a good life - Indigenous Knowledge Translation Summit Report” (includes interactive DVD) (Kaplan-Myrth, Smylie)
- “Resisting exclusion: Using culture to share health information among Métis in Ottawa” (Smylie)
- “Indigenous Knowledge Translation: Baseline Findings in a Qualitative Study of the Pathways of Health Knowledge in Three Indigenous Communities in Canada” (Smylie, et al)
Ethics
Tri-Council Policy Statement Chapter 9 Comparison
For further comparison between the draft 2nd edition (2008) and the revised draft 2nd edition of the TCPS (2009), consult the Table of Concordance and the Highlights of Changes. See AREI-IERA.
IAPH Information Sources
CIHR - Institute of Aboriginal Peoples’ Health Information Sources
| Host Institution (University of Alberta) Based Institute Staff | |
| Malcolm King, PhD FCCP | CIHR - Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health |
| Scientific Director | 602 College Plaza |
| Email: king@ualberta.ca | University of Alberta |
| Edmonton, AB T6G 2C8 | |
| Angeline Letendre, RN PhD | Telephone: 780-492-8943 |
| Associate Director | Fax: 780-492-6115 |
| Email: aletendre@telus.net | |
| Ottawa Based Institute Staff | |
| Laura Commanda MSW | CIHR - Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health |
| Assistant Director Partnerships, KT & International Relations | Room 97, 160 Elgin Street |
| Email: laura.commanda@cihr-irsc.gc.ca | Address locator: 4809A |
| Ottawa, ON K1A 0W9 | |
| Telephone: 613-941-4440 | |
| Fax: 613-954-1800 | |