About
SLFNHA supports research and special projects that are relevant, meaningful, and beneficial to First Nations in the Sioux Lookout area. To ensure that research is community-driven, participatory, and reflects the health and research priorities of communities, SLFNHA established the Anishininiiw Nanandowi’kikendamowin program in 2021. With support from SLFNHA Chiefs (Resolutions 12-08; 13-04), SLFNHA has developed many strong relationships and continues to work in collaboration with First Nations communities, Tribal Councils, First Nations organizations, researchers and academic institutions to achieve excellence in First Nations research. The Anishininiiw Nanandowi’kikendamowin program addresses various topics, including diabetes, mental health, cancer screening, and others.
Current Projects
- Aim: To determine if Silver Diamine Fluoride treatments help prevent early childhood tooth caries (cavities in baby teeth), reducing the number of dental surgeries under general anesthesia required.
- Herenia Lawrence, D.D.S., M.Sc., Ph.D.
- Partners: University of Toronto
- Aim: Support development of resiliency and leadership skills among youth
- Kim Matheson, PhD
- Partners: Carleton University
- For more information, visit http://www.indigenousyouthfutures.ca/
Aim: Explore the operational practices of community-based suboxone programs, and understand the workflow between these programs and pharmacies that remote dispense suboxone
Partners: SLLEG
Aim: To collaboratively develop culturally safe and implementable communication strategies and materials for cancer screening
Partners: Sunnybrook Research Institute, Ontario Health
Aim: Determine patient perspectives on use of virtual care
Partners: Lakehead U, UArctic, KO Tribal Council
Recently Completed Projects
Key Messages
• Public health service delivery to communities has historically failed to meet
health needs, in part due to ambiguous service delivery and inadequate legislation.
• Federal and provincial legislation has long oppressed First Nations by either
limiting health services First Nations people can access, or disregarding First
Nation developed, governed, and implemented systems.
• Health laws, practices, and protocols have existed at the community-level,
and must be reclaimed and recognized in current legislation, as outlined in
Section 35(1) of the Constitution Act, 1982 and article 3 of the United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
• Public health re-organization for First Nations must include true Nation-to-
Nation relationships, and recognize First Nations rights and authorities.
