Andrew Kmetic, University of Victoria Jeff Reading, University of Victoria Robynne Edgar, NEARBC

1. NEARBC Andrew Kmetic, University of Victoria Jeff Reading, University of Victoria Robynne Edgar, NEARBC

2. NEARBC • Funded by the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research • Eight Health of Populations Networks • Four years of funding

3. Other MSFHR HoPN’s • BC Child and Youth Health Research Network • BC Environmental and Occupational Health Research Network • BC Mental Health and Addictions Research Network • BC Network for Aging Research • BC Rural and Remote Health Research Network • Disabilities Health Research Network • Network Environments for Aboriginal Research BC • Women’s Health Research Network

5. Goals and Objectives • The strategic focus of NEARBC is to increase capacity in Aboriginal health research in BC: • To facilitate network building through partnerships and collaboration in Aboriginal health research between researchers and communities. • To promote and facilitate excellent research which is culturally appropriate, community based where possible and appropriate, and which leads to tangible health benefits for Aboriginal populations in BC and elsewhere. • To promote information sharing, by circulating and distributing research findings on Aboriginal health to communities, health and service providers, government, the research community, and educational institutions. • To increase funding within Aboriginal health research by successfully winning national and international funding competitions. • To ensure community consultation and participation as a critical component of all future Aboriginal health research in BC. • To develop a sustainable and inclusive network that will continue to evolve overtime.

6. NEARBCORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Oversight Committee Advisory Committee Co-Leaders Program Manager UBC Network Node UNBC Network Node UVIC Network Node

7. Node Leadership & Coordination • Vancouver Island - UVIC Node • Node Leader - Dr. Chris Lalonde, Associate Professor, Psychology, UVic • Node Coordinator - Velten Pilger • Southern BC - UBC Node • Node Leader - Dr. Eduardo Jovel, Director, Institute for Aboriginal Health, UBC • Node Coordinator - Elizabeth Towers • Northern BC - UNBC Node • Node Leader - Margo Greenwood, Executive Director, National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health; Faculty of Education, University of Northern BC • Node Coordinator - Julia Morris

8. University of Northern British Columbia Prince George, BC University of British Columbia Vancouver, BC University of Victoria Victoria, BC

9. NEARBC • Connecting researchers, Aboriginal and other community members, government, provincial health authorities and students • Website (NEARBC and nodes) • Weekly e-news • Members’ Forum • Searchable Members’ Database

10. NEARBC Membership • June 2006 110 Members • December 2006 272 Members • February 2007 340 Members • May 2007 450 Members

11. Membership by Organizational Affiliation

12. NEARBC Website Activity April 2006 – Launch of website September – Recruitment of members commenced October 2006 – Launch of e-news December 2006 – Change of website host - stats unavailable

13. Collaboration and Partnerships • VIHA • The UVic node is working with the Aboriginal Services manager at VIHA to create a researchers database for remote Aboriginal communities on Vancouver Island • Northern Health Authority • The UNBC node of NEARBC is worked with the Northern Health Authority to organize the 2007 Northern Aboriginal Research Gathering

14. Collaboration and Partnerships • The UNBC node of NEARBC has developed relationships with these groups and identified them as 2007/08 partners • The Centre of Excellence for Children and Adolescents with Special Needs • UNBC Taskforce on Substance Abuse • The National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health and BC Initiatives at UNBC • Aboriginal Communities and First Nations • Klahoose, Namgis, Tsawataineuk, Kwicksutaineuk-Ah, Kwaw-Amish, Gwawaenuk, Gwa-Sala Nakwaxda’xw, Kwakuitl, Quatsino and Nu’ chal’ nulth

15. Community Workshop • UVIC Node Reframing and Reclaiming Research: Engaging First Nations Communities in Research • Brought together researchers, health professionals and community members in effort to facilitate communication • Need for online health data • Placed on website, expand to include abstracts

16. Seed Grants • Typically seed grants < $5,000 • Assist in preparing larger grant proposals • Natural Resources, Food and Health and the Nuu-cha-nulth First Nation. • to address a perceived ‘disconnection’ from traditional food resource usage patterns within First Nations communities, a move to less nutritious foods and less active lifestyles, and the health consequences

17. Travel Grant - Darlene Sanderson • 6th Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples Issues - Land, Territories and Natural Resources • Water is Sacred, Water is Life, Water is Fundamental: Planning A World Indigenous Forum on Water and Peace

18. Activities in 2007/08 • Partnered workshops • community-based research • grant writing skills • community engagement • research ethics, Aboriginal research methodologies, transforming Indigenous knowledge, advancing Aboriginal health research ethics and intellectual property • Partnered conferences • Annual Aboriginal health research gathering • Members advisory group

19. NEARBC Future Plans • Collaboration and Partnerships • Capacity Building • KT • External Evaluation – Formative and Summative