Reconciliation is an ongoing journey, and there are certainly roles for health researchers, funding agencies and institutions to play within this process. We are honoured to take one of many important steps towards reconciliation in Canada through the funding of our annual Research Connections, Truth & Action Grant. - Patrick Odnokon, CEO SHRF
First established in 2021, SHRF's Research Connections, Truth & Action Grant is a direct response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action. It reflects SHRF's commitment to meaningful action and reconciliation in the health research communities of Saskatchewan.
This funding, provided on an annual basis within the umbrella of SHRF's 'Connections' Program, looks to support projects for up to one year that:
Are guided by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives;
Address one or more of the TRCC's Calls to Action; and
Increase research relevance, usability and uptake by sharing knowledge in non-academic settings and mediums.
The Research Connections, Truth & Action Grant provides up to $10,000 per project to individuals and teams of researchers across Saskatchewan. SHRF is proud to announce that the 2022-23 grant is funding six unique projects, through a total investment of $59,900.
2022-23 Research Connections, Truth & Action Grant Recipients
Laurie Clune | University of Regina Lisa Workman | Poverty Free Saskatchewan Ann Perry | Circle Project $10,000 Giving Back: Community Action in Mobilizing Knowledge About Indigenous Homelessness in Tangible Ways
Project Summary
Following the completion of a study on Indigenous homelessness in Regina, the University of Regina, Circle Project and Poverty Free Saskatchewan will undertake a knowledge mobilization initiative wherein results are shared and gaps in services that contribute to poor health outcomes are identified. Project will include the circulation of written and oral materials through a community feast, and the distribution of findings to policy influencers, police, social service agencies, healthcare professionals, politicians and the media.
Vincent Ziffle | First Nations University of Canada $9,950 Elders’ Residency on Medicinal Plants and Languages: A Series of Truth and Action Workshops Connecting Knowledge Keepers and Community Through Medicinal Plant Traditions and Indigenous Languages
Project Summary
Project involves workshops with several Elders and Knowledge Keepers from across Saskatchewan with the goal of increasing awareness of and respect for Medicinal Plant Traditions and First Nations Languages in an inclusive academic setting.
Trish Goulet | University of Saskatchewan Amrinderbir Singh | University of Saskatchewan $10,000 Co-Creating Indigenous-Specific Oral Health Education Resources in Saskatchewan
Project Summary
Project will support the co-creation of culturally-appropriate oral health educational resources with Indigenous community members, and the distribution of these resources to the College of Dentistry's outreach dental clinics in northern and rural Saskatchewan. Resources will also be translated into Cree and Dene.
Shelley Kirychuk | University of Saskatchewan $10,000 Thriving in our Miyo Wāskahikan
Project Summary
First Nation housing councilors and managers, University of Saskatchewan members, industry, policy influencers, home builders, trades trainers and those interested in on-reserve built environment from across Saskatchewan will work together to action the built environment with the goal of enhancing the health of those living in on-reserve housing. Desired outputs include processes, toolkits, and roadmaps alongside evidence-based documents to support policy.
Amanda Froehlich Chow | University of Saskatchewan $10,000 Learning with Land: Sharing Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being Through Art
Project Summary
This project involves work with the Early Learning Centres and Head Start programs within the Saskatoon Tribal Council, the E-Tahkanawasot Care Centre and the Prince Albert Childcare Co-operative Association to promote wholistic health and wellness through an understanding and knowledge of traditional food, nutrition and medicine.
Cari McIlduff, Marlin Legare, John Acharibasam, Mikayla Hagel, Shayla Desjarlais, Peyton Juhnke, Adele Bibault, Alyssa Starr | Indigenous Community-Based Health Research Lab, University of Saskatchewan; Elder Ethel Dubois, Elder Sharon Strongarm, Victor Starr, Reah Starr | Star Blanket Cree Nation; Karen LaRocque, Veronica Favel, Denise McKenzie | Les Fille de Madeleine Secretariat Inc.; Teena Redwood, Glenn Pelletier | Cowessess First Nation $9,950 Looking Back to Plan Ahead: Two-Way Knowledge Sharing in Partnered Communities
Project Summary
This project will enable an Indigenous Community-Based Health Research Lab to hold knowledge and story sharing events with Star Blanket Cree Nation, Les Filles de Madeleine Chapter 42 (Cumberland House) and Cowessess First Nation. These events will serve as the next step in a process of understanding how best to support Indigenous communities through research, knowledge sharing and relationship building.
The Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) is the provincial funding agency that funds, supports and promotes the impact of health research that matters to Saskatchewan. SHRF collaborates with stakeholders to contribute to the growth of a high-performing health system, culture of innovation and the improved health of citizens by strengthening research capacity and competitiveness, increasing the investment in health research in Saskatchewan and aligning research with the needs of our stakeholders. Inquiries about SHRF's Research Connections, Truth & Action Grant may be directed to Chelsea Cunningham at ccunningham@shrf.ca.