Executive Summary: CIHR-III First Nations, Inuit and Métis Engagement Strategy (2024-2025)

Introduction

The CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity (CIHR-III) is committed to advancing health equity for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis (FNIM) communities through research, engagement, and collaboration. This First Nations, Inuit and Métis Engagement Strategy (2024-2025) was developed in partnership with Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) researchers, healthcare professionals, and community members. It is guided by principles of self-determination, self-governance, reciprocity, and respect, ensuring that Indigenous perspectives shape CIHR-III's research priorities and health initiatives.

This Engagement Strategy shares the ideas that were provided by FNIM community members, Knowledge Keepers, and scholars throughout a multi-phase engagement process. The document outlines CIHR-III's strategic framework, provides historical context by outlining the impact of infectious diseases and government actions on Indigenous Peoples in Canada throughout history, summarizes the methodology used to develop the Engagement Strategy, and summarizes key findings from the engagements, including engagement protocols, FNIM interpretations of immunity, data sovereignty and CIHR-III's commitment to reconciliation.

The Strategy is intended to strengthen partnerships with FNIM communities invested in health research, promote Indigenous-led research, knowledge mobilization and improve long-term health outcomes that reflect the priorities of these communities. CIHR-III aims to implement the ideas and suggestions into how it operates going forward, with a goal of strengthening its work.

For a full copy of the Engagement Strategy, please email iii-imii@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.

Historical Context and Health Inequities

FNIM communities have endured long-standing health inequities due to colonization, systemic racism, and historical injustices, including unethical medical experiments and government policies that have undermined Indigenous health and traditional practices. Infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis and HIV, continue to disproportionately affect FNIM populations due to ongoing disparities in social determinants of health, including inadequate housing, limited healthcare access, and historical trauma.

CIHR-III's 2021-2026 Strategic Plan prioritizes collaboration with FNIM communities to address health disparities and ensure Indigenous leadership in research initiatives. This Engagement Strategy acknowledges the importance of Indigenous self-governance in health research, incorporating traditional knowledges and healing practices to address health challenges holistically.

Methodology

CIHR-III used a multi-phase process to develop the initial version of its Engagement Strategy that included:

  • Virtual interviews with 13 recognized experts in community-based research and Indigenous health and included individuals from First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities from across Canada to inform the overall direction for the engagement activities.
  • Virtual Dialogue sessions with 75 participants that included FNIM community members, community health and professional health organizations, and academic and research organizations whose work focused on improving the health of FNIM populations.

Additional insights will be included in future versions of the Engagement Strategy.

First Nations, Inuit and Métis Engagement Strategy: Key Findings and III Commitments

  1. Identifying Health-Related Priorities
    • Health research must be guided by FNIM communities, ensuring local needs shape research initiatives.
    • CIHR-III will engage with Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, healthcare workers, and community members to co-develop culturally relevant research projects.
    • Priority areas include infectious disease prevention, culturally safe healthcare services, and Indigenous-led health education.
  2. Partnerships and Relationship Building
    • Meaningful engagement starts with community leadership, Elders, partners, trusted community health representatives and expands to research organizations, healthcare providers, and academic organizations and programs.
    • Partnerships will be guided by distinctions-based approaches, recognizing the unique cultures, governance structures, and priorities of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.
    • Key partners include community members, Indigenous-led health organizations, Friendship Centres, regional health authorities, and professional associations.
  3. Engagement Process Protocols
    • Use a distinctions-based approach to engagements that recognizes the unique cultures, histories, and priorities of diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.
    • Engagement approaches will respect Indigenous cultural protocols, histories, and languages.
    • Trauma-informed methodologies enable safe and respectful interactions, recognizing the lasting impact of colonialism on Indigenous health experiences.
    • CIHR-III staff will increase their understanding of historical trauma through cultural competency and trauma-informed training and distinctions-based approaches.
    • Research findings shared using clear language, visual storytelling, and Indigenous languages where possible.
    • Research practices that integrate Indigenous worldviews, acknowledging that infection and immunity are understood holistically within FNIM communities.
    • Communications should incorporate traditional knowledge translation methods, such as community storytelling and oral sharing, as developed by community members.
  4. FNIM Interpretations of Infection and Immunity
    • Respect the distinct views and experiences with infection and immunity and ensure this knowledge is reflected in any engagement materials.
  5. Data Sovereignty
    • Increase CIHR-III staff familiarity with FNIM knowledge and data sovereignty frameworks (i.e., the First Nations Principles of OCAP®, the Inuit Strategy on Research, Principles of Ethical Métis Research, etc.), and understanding of how to apply these frameworks.
    • Discuss ways to support communities with data sovereignty during engagements.
    • Honour Indigenous Peoples' inherent rights of self-determination and governance.
    • Research ethics will follow OCAP® (Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession) principles and other Indigenous research frameworks.
    • Consider how to support communities in determining how to collect, house, and maintain ownership of their data.
    • Consider how to mitigate the potential negative impacts of the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Indigenous Data Sovereignty.

  6. Reconciliation and Understanding

    CIHR-III recognizes the need for institutional reflection and transformation to address systemic biases and ensure meaningful reconciliation. To this end, CIHR-III aims to:

    • Provide cultural safety and ethical space training for staff.
    • Identify how research projects can directly benefit First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis and communities across Canada and set goals that are measurable and realistic.
    • Co-develop a plan for ongoing, long-term training and support for building on the existing strengths of communities and Indigenous researchers.
    • Maintain accountability to FNIM partners through ongoing consultation and transparent reporting-back on what we are learning in order to continue to foster meaningful relationships.

This engagement strategy will evolve and continue to be updated based on ongoing dialogue with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. CIHR-III is committed to fostering long-term, reciprocal relationships with FNIM communities to improve health outcomes and advance Indigenous-led research.

For more information and to request the full Engagement Strategy, please contact iii-imii@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.

Recognition of Contributors and Supporters

CIHR-III extends its heartfelt gratitude to the many healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, organizations, and community members who contributed to the development of this Engagement Strategy. Over 70 Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals participated in engagement sessions, sharing invaluable insights that shaped the Strategy's direction.

Additionally, CIHR-III recognizes Andrea L. K. Johnston, CEO of Johnston Research Inc. (JRI), an Anishnaabekwe woman from Neyaashiinigmiing, and her team for their exceptional leadership in facilitating a culturally sensitive and inclusive Engagement Strategy.

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