The land should lead us: Acknowledging community viability to practice Indigenous health sovereignty in northern Manitoba

In Canada while health disparities in Indigenous communities are getting much attention and Indigenous peoples are determining the path to healing using land based knowledge, the approach to health is still holding the reductionist and paternalistic global health philanthropy with the idea of the poor, traditional societies in need of charity and technology for better health. This contrasts with the growing realization that Indigenous health problems have strong sociocultural, political, and economic determinants that demand comprehensive approaches. This research intends to take a strength based approach using community viability framework to: a) link food and health; b) address the need for an Indigenous Health Sovereignty paradigm modelled on Indigenous food sovereignty. Using Indigenous research methodology, the study will take place in O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation and Opaskwayak Cree Nation where communities will lead a strong youth and women focused land-based knowledge and health education intervention plan with their respective health authorities.

Faculty Supervisor:

Alex Wilson

Student:

Asfia Kamal

Partner:

Tides Canada Initiatives Society

Discipline:

Education

Sector:

Medical devices

University:

Program: