Our research is about creating a network that includes community members, Elders, and researchers and giving people the space to find supportive counterparts who can help them realize their goals around community health, research and learning.
Our partnership goal
We envision a dynamic, interactive, and supportive place that we can all take pride in where people of all ages and walks of life feel empowered and communities are able to mobilize around their health issues.
Mentorship
We recognize the potential that our community Elders have to mentor and guide this project. Their abilities and those of their communities to share their knowledge is our greatest resource. Activating the potential of Indigenous youth through mentorship and empowerment is a key objective of NT NEIHR.
Our Objectives & Activities
Activities:
- Community-engaged research in partnership with schools/ youth & Elder collaborations.
- Summer research assistant positions within NT NEIHR.
- Elder/knowledge holder presentations at grade/high schools to encourage interest in health research for Indigenous students.
- Workshops facilitated by Elders/community researchers for teachers, school counselors, and health practitioners who can be involved in increasing knowledge of health research streams for Indigenous students.
Activities:
- Masters and doctoral student scholarships for Indigenous students in the Northwest Territories and Yukon.
- Promise scholarships for Indigenous high school students in the Northwest Territories and Yukon who are graduating high school and applying to attend a health-related program at a post-secondary institution the following school year.
- Trainees gain networking benefits and participate in national NEIHR gatherings.
Activities:
- Seed and partnership grants to Indigenous community groups and organizations.
- Improve network between grant writers, students and communities so that partnerships are sustainable and based on longer-term relationships and commitments to shared values.
Activities:
- Supporting Elder engagement in Indigenous research paradigms to provide the context and space for exploring and implementing Indigenous research models based on the frameworks currently used by Elders.
- Provide leadership and sharing of knowledge on best practices to support Elder engagement across the national NEIHR network.
Activities:
- Policy development
- Job descriptions
- Partnership organization survey on needs
- Research associates training program (based on Tlicho CART team model)
- Development of a strengths-based approach to employment planning that reflects an Indigenous worldview (community, sustainability, inclusivity, roles defined by talent and experience)
Activities:
- Distance learning development in partnership with Elders and Indigenous Adjunct Faculty
Activities:
- An Elder designed orientation program to be delivered with partner organizations at mentorship land-based sites
Activities:
- Outreach to other networks – Canadian Research Data Centre Network sites, Pathways to Health Equity for Aboriginal Peoples Initiatives, and other NEIHRs.
- Strengthening of the language component of all health research activities, including terminology workshops and a holistic approach to literacy.
Activities:
- Attend and present at annual assemblies of regional Indigenous governments – Dene Nation, Tlicho Government, and IRC to promote research, provide feedback, seek advice, and build community outreach with face-to-face and social media.
Activities:
- Outputs to other networks – Canadian Research Data Centre Network, Pathways to Health Equity for Aboriginal Peoples, and other NEIHRs.
Activities:
- Our website with up-to-date project information and findings.
- Participation in Indigenous student journals.