What We Do

One goal we hope to achieve in health is the promotion of Aboriginal women’s equitable engagement in all processes that impact them, within Aboriginal and non Aboriginal decision making processes. We do this in collaboration with other teams at NWAC, including Sisters In Spirit. A culturally relevant gender-based approach is employed in this effort to illustrate the benefits of this level of engagement. Expected results are improved health outcomes.

The Health Unit currently manages a number of projects supported by initiatives such as the Aboriginal Human Health Resource Initiative (AHHRI), the Aboriginal Health Transition Fund (AHTF), the National Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy (NAYSPS), and the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative (ADI). Each of these projects plays an important role in sustaining internal capacity and expertise. Projects support and strengthen internal processes, aid in maintaining mechanisms of transparency and accountability, and most importantly, attract and retain highly qualified individuals. We continue to work towards securing more sustainable support to work on new and emerging health issues in a more proactive manner.

The Health Unit has recently identified the exploration of linkages as a priority area of work, advancing the depth of our knowledge related to root causes behind Aboriginal women’s consistently poor health. One such linkage is that between fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and gang.
We also work with the Children and Youth Programs Directorate at Health Canada, in Early Childhood Development and Maternal Child Health. We conduct primary research into the issue of senior abuse, building youth capacity through a youth engagement strategy, and promoting health careers and employment and violence prevention.