Coming Out is Part of the Life Cycle: A Qualitative Study using Two-Eyed Seeing to Understand A Two-Spirits Coming Out Process.

In two co-related studies about Two-spirit people in Atlantic Canada, the coming out stories share critical cultural perspectives about gender identity and sexuality from a (Mi'kmaw) perspective. This qualitative research implemented or Two-Eyed Seeing, a co-learning methodology using Indigenous and western perspectives for data collection and analysis. The findings surface stories about resiliency among Two-spirit people who face distress and anxiety, with supports mainly coming from family and community.

Are we walking the talk of participatory Indigenous health research? A scoping review of the literature in Atlantic Canada.

Introduction: Participatory research involving community engagement is considered the gold standard in Indigenous health research. However, it is sometimes unclear whether and how Indigenous communities are engaged in research that impacts them, and whether and how engagement is reported. Indigenous health research varies in its degree of community engagement from minimal involvement to being community-directed and led.

Communities take the lead: exploring Indigenous health research practices through Two-Eyed Seeing & kinship.

or Two-Eyed Seeing (E/TES) is foundational in ensuring that Indigenous ways of knowing are respected, honoured, and acknowledged in health research practices with Indigenous Peoples of Canada. This paper will outline new knowledge gleaned from the Canadian Institute of Health Research and Chronic Pain Network funded Aboriginal Children's Hurt & Healing (ACHH) Initiative that embraces E/TES for respectful research. We share the ACHH exemplar to show how Indigenous community partners to address their health priorities by integrating cultural values of kinship and interconnectedness as essential components to enhance the process of community-led research.

How has Indigenous Health Research changed in Atlantic Canada over two decades? A scoping review from 2001 to 2020.

Introduction: Indigenous communities across Canada report that transformations in Indigenous health research are needed, where the benefits of research shift intentionally, collaboratively, and with transparency from the researchers directly to Indigenous communities and partners. Despite its challenges and potential for harm, research, if done ethically and with respect and partnership, can be a force for change and will strengthen the efficacy of data on Indigenous Peoples' health and wellbeing.

Purpose: To characterize the nature, range, and extent of Indigenous health research in Atlantic Canada, and to identify gaps.

Co-creating better healthcare experiences for First Nations children and youth: The FIRST approach emerges from Two-Eyed seeing.

To achieve health, Indigenous people seek a life that balances mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical wellness, yet the scope of these four dimensions is not typically considered in the Western-based health system. Indigenous people experience ongoing pain and hurt in all these dimensions as a result of a colonial legacy that persists in current-day policy and care contexts. Exploring ways to support Indigenous people to embrace ways of being well and reducing chronic pain has not been a priority area in health research.

Occurrence of and referral to specialists for pain-related diagnoses in First Nations and non-First Nations children and youth.

Background: Indigenous youth have higher rates of chronic health conditions interfering with healthy development, including high rates of ear, dental, chest and musculoskeletal pain, as well as headache, arthritis and mental health issues. This study explores differences in pain-related diagnoses in First Nations and non-First Nations children.

Methods: Data from a study population of age- and sex-matched First Nations and non-First Nations children and youth were accessed from a specific region of Atlantic Canada.

Creating a safe space for First Nations youth to share their pain.

Introduction: Indigenous children and youth may be quiet about the way they express their pain and hurt which is in contrast to how health professionals are trained to assess it.

Objectives: The aim was to understand how youth from 4 First Nation communities express pain using narratives and art-based methods to inform culturally appropriate assessment and treatment.

Methods: This qualitative investigation used a community-based participatory action methodology to recruit 42 youth between 8 and 17 years of age to share their perspectives of pain using ethnographic techniques including a Talking Circle followed by a painting workshop.