The Indigenous Health Research Development Program [IHRDP]

NAHO Conference, Ottawa

November 26, 2009

Chantelle A.M. Richmond

Mission Statement

IHRDP is committed to a student-centred approach to community-based health research in Ontario. We assist with building a career structure for students in Aboriginal health research and we focus our resources on community-driven research projects that will identify health-related issues in Aboriginal communities

Our logo was designed by Arnold Jacobs of Ohsweken. “In practically every First Nations culture across Turtle Island, the Bear was revered for its strength. Because of where the bear roamed in its daily life, across meadows and woods, it became the guardian symbol of the plants. Various plants were, and are used today, for medicinal purposes. The bear is an icon of his natural plant pharmacy. The plant then is embraced by human hands”

Kue Young Wayne Warry Harriet MacMillan Dawn Martin-Hill

Nel WiemanBruce Minore Marion Maar Chris Furgal Kristin Jacklin

Missing : Theresa McCarthy

Karen Hill

Our Investigators

Board members [current members]

Linda Staats (Exec Dir, Six Nations Polytechnic, Ohsweken) 2003-Joe Hester (Exec Dir, Anishinawbe Health Toronto) 2003-06Deana Jones-Keeshig (Health Coordinator, Independent First Nations Health Information Services, Shawanaga First Nation) 2003-07Janet Smylie (Family physician, Ottawa) 2003-04Bruce Minore (Director, Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay) 2003-07Victoria Grant (formerly Exec Dir, Noojimawin Health Authority, Toronto; Vice Chair, Ontario Health Quality Council) 2004-Emily Faries (Professor, Laurentian University, Sudbury) 2006-07Mae Katt (Nurse-practitioner, Thunder Bay) 2006-07Rosie Mosquito (Exec Dir, Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute, Thunder Bay) 2007-Cheri Corbiere (Children's Mental Health Case Manager/Community Health Nurse, Mnaamodzawin Health Services, Sheguiandah), 2007- Chantelle Richmond (Asst Prof, Univ of Western Ontario, London) 2008-

Administration

Three sites: U of Toronto – applications/awards; student support; Collaborative

Program in Aboriginal Health McMaster/Six Nations Polytechnic, Ohsweken – operations,

governance, networking and outreach Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute,

Thunder Bay – knowledge translation and northern focus

Amanda Sheppard, 2002-

Katherine Minich 2002-06

Valerie O’Brien,

2003-

Susan Johnston 2008 --

Evaluating IHRDP’s impact

With regard to student awards, are we meeting our mission?

Alleviate financial stress

“I was able to spend additional time focusing on my community involvement, volunteering for various organizations focused on anti-poverty health care work and Aboriginal health in Toronto. If I had been under more financial stress (i.e. if I did not receive the IHRDP award), I believe that I would have not had the same amount of time to engage with people and issues beyond the university.”

Promote academic freedom

“The award really gave me opportunities that I wouldn't have had otherwise, such as attending conferences that were specific to my research objectives, meeting others doing similar research and financially helping me get through graduate school and pursue the type of research that is important to me.”

Networking opportunities

“I was able to build a strong network of support, inspiration and encouragement through my award. This was particularly visible through my involvement in the annual student gatherings where I was able to meet dozens of students from across Canada who are engaged in work around Aboriginal health research. I believe that these individuals will be not only colleagues but also friends in the years to come.”

Career making

“Winning an IHRDP award gave me the confidence that I needed to realize the importance of my research. The award has made me realize how very important it is for me to remain an academic, a researcher as well as a teacher and to continue to lecture and write about Aboriginal health policy in Canada.”

Commitment to community

“Being an IHRDP scholar has allowed me to feel supported in my involvement in Aboriginal health research. It has allowed me to spend time engaging with critical issues and ways of seeing Aboriginal health research, including the 'decolonizing methodologies' literature. I think this expanded perception has been invaluable in my involvement in Aboriginal health research and will hopefully prove useful in the years to come.”

Thanks for listening!

Interested in applying?Two rounds/ year (May/ Nov.)

Scholarships, community-based grants, development grants

For more information

www.ihrdp.ca