Congratulations go out to IWK Health researchers, recipients of $13.5 million in Focus Research Investments (FRI) from Research Nova Scotia (RNS).
John R. Sylliboy, Indigenous Scientific Director for the Aboriginal Children's Hurt and Healing research initiative and Chronic Pain Network, and Dr. Margot Latimer, IWK Department of Pediatrics and Canadian Institutes of Health Research Chair in Indigenous Health Nursing for Nova Scotia, are leading research entitled Etuaptmu’k W’loti: Using Mi’kmaw Knowledge to Create Health & Wellness Solutions. The initiative, which will be community-led by Tajikeimɨk as the project co-lead with IWK Health, received $7 million from RNS.
Dr. Brent Young, Dr. Margot Latimer, Elaine Allison, Chief Wilbert Marshall, Sharon Rudderham, Lindsay Peach, John R. Sylliboy
“This award validates L'nu sovereignty of knowledge and science in addressing our health,” Sylliboy says. “It's a formidable leap of faith in Treaty relations for all Nova Scotia.”
Etuaptmu’k W’loti will improve access to culturally safe health and healing experiences for Mi’kmaw children and youth across Mi’kma’ki. This will be an important first step toward self-determination in Mi’kmaw health research, with anticipated benefit for Indigenous health outcomes in Nova Scotia.
“This is an exceptionally exciting award for Mi'kmaq to be self-governing and leading initiatives related to culturally safe education, care, and research practice across Nova Scotia,” says Dr. Latimer. “Mi'kmaq know what the challenges are within these systems; they live it every day. This project is an opportunity to be in a decision-making role to design, implement, and evaluate the changes needed and to share Mi'kmaq ways of knowing and doing.”
Dr. Jill Chorney, scientific lead for Mental Health and Addictions at IWK Health, and Dr. Lori Wozney, the newly appointed Sun Life Chair in Youth Mental Health are leading a research initiative, known as Unifying Networks to InnovaTE in Youth Mental Health (UNITE). They received $6.5 million from RNS.
Dr. Jenny Baechler, Dr. Lori Wozney, Dr. Jill Chorney
"For many young people the mental health system feels fragmented, inaccessible, and difficult to understand. They deserve a care experience that is compassionate, equitable, and coordinated,” says Dr. Wozney. “UNITE will push us all to think wholistically about how we design services and how we can help youth connect to the right care, sooner."
UNITE will focus on three main areas, including improving the way youth, their families and those working with them navigate their way to care; making services more effective and equitable using insights from data collected across sectors; and finding ways for people and groups who work in complex systems to collaborate and develop innovations more effectively.
“This funding offers a unique opportunity to make a real-world impact through research,” Dr. Chorney says. “We aim to drive meaningful change in the system through research, and by doing so, improving mental health outcomes for youth, families, and those who support them.”
FRIs are designed to advance research that tackles Nova Scotia's most pressing issues and pursue discoveries that are timely, relevant, and actionable for those who need it.