- Who we are
- Funding Programs
- Knowledge Exchange
- Publications
- BC NEIHR Podcast
- Season 1
- EP1 - Intro: Who We Are, Why We're Here & What We're Trying to Do
- EP2- Inspiring Indigenous Scholars: Interview with Dr. Robinson
- EP3- Jimena Chalchi - Health Leadership and Traditional Womens' Medicine in Central and Southern America
- EP4- Creating Safer Spaces - Interview with Harley Eagle
- EP5 -Inspiring Indigenous Scholars: Interview with Marion Erickson
- EP6- Inspiring Indigenous Scholars: Interview with Spencer Greening/La鈥檊oot
- Season 2
- Season 1
- Gatherings and Events
- Training and Resources
- Contact
Who We Are
The Story Behind the BC NEIHR Logo
The three Salmon in the logo represent our three key partners: First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), M茅tis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) and British Columbia Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC). These community-led organizations are leading health and wellness research initiatives across BC.
This logo also represents the land and water-based practices of First Nations, M茅tis and Inuit. While traditions are connected to our diverse cultures, we acknowledge and celebrate our common and enduring relationships to the land and waters. Salmon represent a source of strength and wisdom; despite strong currents, they always return to the place of creation. Coming full circle, Salmon finish what they begin, bringing cycles to closure.
Logo created by Indigenous artist Margaret August. For more information about Margaret:
BC NEIHR Mission Statement
The BC NEIHR facilitates and supports capacity for and engagement in Indigenous-led health research that is woven from the values, knowledge systems, protocols, priorities, and leadership of Indigenous communities, collectives and organizations (ICCOs), academic researchers, and students in BC. Our collective goal is to ground BC NEIHR structures, relationships and processes in the values and principles of self-determination, Indigenous knowledge, wholistic population health and wellness, as well as intersectionality, equity, and transparency. We also aspire to promote and support Indigenous and/or decolonizing (ID) methodologies, ethics and OCAP庐 in Indigenous research. In BC NEIHR activities, we acknowledge and will uphold the cultural safety and cultural humility that is modelled by the work of the FNHA and the work yet to come from other ICCOs.
Our Population of Focus includes Indigenous peoples (on- and off-reserve First Nations, M茅tis and Inuit) living in British Columbia. Beneficiaries of the BC NEIHR include ICCOs as well as Indigenous graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in BC.
Guiding Values and Principles of the BC NEIHR
Indigenous-led research networks such as the BC NEIHR are a promising approach to Indigenizing research funding environments and creating pathways that uphold distinctive Indigenous values, principles, knowledge systems and research approaches. The BC NEIHR is guided by such values and principles such as:
- Self-determination in research
- Indigenous knowledge
- Wholistic population health and wellness
- Indigenous and/or decolonizing methodologies
- Ethics in Indigenous health research, and lastly,
- Equity, transparency and Indigenous cultural safety
BC NEIHR Governance Partners
The BC NEIHR Governing Council includes one representative from each of our core community-based partners (First Nations Health Authority, BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centre, and M茅tis Nation BC) as well as an Elder from each of these organizations. These community-based organizations are leading Indigenous research, Indigenous cultural safety, and health promotion initiatives across BC; together they act as the decision-making body for the BC NEIHR.
The First Nations Health Authority鈥檚 (FNHA) vision is healthy, self-determining and vibrant First Nations children, families and communities in British Columbia (BC). The FNHA also aims to reform the way health care is delivered to First Nations in BC, reduce health disparities and improve health and well-being. To that end, the organization provides health programs and services throughout the province to all First Nations communities. The FNHA works with BC First Nations, government partners and others to improve health outcomes for BC First Nations people and provide trauma-informed care. The organization also supports data sovereignty and self-determination in the area of health research and is committed to system-wide change, as well as supporting a collective health systems goal of culturally safe research and health services for First Nations and Indigenous people in BC.
M茅tis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) develops and enhances opportunities for M茅tis Chartered Communities and M茅tis people in British Columbia (BC) by providing culturally relevant social and economic programs and services. Recognized by the M茅tis National Council, the Provincial Government of BC and the Federal Government of Canada, the MNBC is the official governing body of the M茅tis in BC, representing almost 90,000 self-identified M茅tis people in BC; of that, almost 17,000 are provincially registered M茅tis Citizens with MNBC. The MNBC Ministry of Health is committed to enhancing M茅tis wellness and has developed a responsive Five-Year Plan, which was informed by M茅tis Chartered Communities through community consultation processes.
The BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) provides umbrella services and provincial supports to the 25 Friendship Centres in British Columbia. Friendship Centres provide services to Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Inuit and M茅tis) living in urban settings and hold space for all members of the community to celebrate culture, share knowledge, and connect with others. With a focus on health and wellness, one of the BCAAFC goals is to help people create a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle by building a supportive network of health and wellness initiatives that acknowledge the diverse needs of the population.