Science and Research

Research and Knowledge Exchange

We are committed to strengthening research that is relevant, meaningful and beneficial to First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Our priorities are determined by the Decision Making Council which governs the GCWP-IH, our network of community partners and the communities we serve. We respect and draw upon both Western methodologies and Indigenous research paradigms to support the advancement of the wellness of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

Our Commitment As Knowledge Workers

  1. Engage in action-oriented research to address the historical and ongoing impacts of colonialism and anti-Indigenous racism in the healthcare system.
  2. Foster wise practices that respect Indigenous data sovereignty, promote rights-based approaches and community-defined priorities, needs, knowledge systems and practices.
  3. Provide and enhance opportunities for First Nations, Inuit and Métis, allied learners and researchers.
  4. Promote authentic, meaningful collaboration between health research institutions, researchers, and First Nations, Inuit and Métis community and community-based practitioners.

Centering Nation and Place-specific Ways

We respect the diversity of Indigenous ways of knowing, doing and being. The research initiatives that we undertake are informed by a network of community partners comprised of recognized community leaders, health service program directors and managers, health education experts, researchers and front-line health care and wellness service providers.

Ethical Research: First Nation, Inuit and Métis Data Sovereignty, Governance and Stewardship

We are committed to ensuring that the knowledge work we undertake and support meets the ethical expectations of First Nations, Inuit and Métis community partners. We acknowledge our responsibility to promote the implementation of established First Nations, Inuit and Métis data sovereignty principles. We honour this responsibility by advocating for appropriate consultation and meaningful partnerships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders and experts, ensuring this happens across all phases of work.

Promoting Strength-Based Approaches To Research

Responsibility and Relevance

We recognize that the widespread health disparities and gaps in care experienced by First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples are shaped by historical and ongoing effects of colonialism; which include the persistence of anti-Indigenous racism in the healthcare system.

Respect

We interrupt colonial, deficit narratives. We use a strength-based approach.

Relationship

We are guided by relational accountability. The projects we undertake are derived in alliance with urban and homeland communities and with other Indigenous-led organizations.

Reciprocity

We acknowledge that meaningful, substantive transformation often requires ceding space and challenging the status quo.

Refusal

We refuse to engage in extractive research practices.

PROJECTS & PROGRAMS

  • Data Sovereignty and Wise Practices for Socio-Demographic Data Collection

    Wise practices for collecting socio-demographic data at the point of care - The Ontario Health Team is currently drafting a Call For Proposals to pilot site-specific case studies to identify best practices. Future work may include applying for OHT funding to pilot a project at WCH. Emily Simmonds and Lisa Richardson continue to meet with leaders across Canada to learn more about key considerations for the implementation of data collection tools at the point of care concerning First Nation, Inuit and Metis peoples.

  • “Coping Well” Pain Project

    This project takes a strength-based approach that prioritizes community protocols, needs, and experiences. Specifically, we examine cultural understandings of wellness, strategies used to manage chronic pain including challenges with opioid substance use disorder and barriers and challenges to accessing care. It will produce two sets of educational resources to support both healthcare practitioners as they support First Nations patients and community members as they navigate their pain experience.

  • Developing a Rights-Based Approach to Healthcare for Indigenous Peoples

    This research aims to establish a health systems policy framework to

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  • Best Practices for Processing Research Ethics Submissions at WCH Involving Indigenous Peoples: A Resource Package

    This project aims to develop a resources package for the Research Ethics Board (REB) at Women's College Hospital, which will provide considerations and recommendations on processing REB submissions that involve Indigenous peoples.

  • Understanding Racism at Point of Care

    This study involves a narrative review of existing scholarly and grey

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  • Environmental Health Justice Program

    Through a network of community partnerships, the Center for Wise Practices is developing care pathways, policies, and recommendations that address the disproportionate impacts of colonial industrial environmental health hazards experienced by First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples. We are committed to strengthening and supporting the work that community leaders and organizers, and Indigenous science practitioners have undertaken to make the adverse health impacts of environmental injustices, including the localized effects of climate degradation, contamination, and colonialism, visible and meaningful in clinical settings. The goal of GCWP-IH's environmental health justice program is to support diverse communities of practice to become more attuned and resourced to deal with the complex relationships between environmental injustices and place-based community health needs in clinical settings.