Partner for Engagement and Knowledge Exchange: First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba
Who
The First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba (FNHSSM) (as proposed by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs), was the only regional body to be chosen as a Partners for Engagement and Knowledge Exchange (PEKE) because of the outstanding outreach and relationships established across Canada and internationally. The FNHSSM partnership includes: University of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg, Diabetes Integration Project, University of Victoria, Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada, Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada, National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health, Saint Elizabeth, National Aboriginal Council of Midwives, Manitoba Health, Public Health Agency of Canada, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Te Atawhai o te Ao: Independent Maori Institute for Environment and Health and Whakauae Research for Maori Health and Development
Issue
Our project is defined by wholistic health, based on the strengths of our peoples, and will not be defined or divided by the four pathologies identified in the CIHR call. The FNHSSM PEKE will engage traditional knowledge keepers and researchers to explore the literature on knowledge translation and exchange, implementation research and scalability, extract useful concepts and processes and reframe these from an Indigenous knowledge’s perspective. The FNHSSM and their partners are each committed to moving from promising practices to knowledge exchange and action in communities.
Approach
What we are proposing is to link elements of research, education, quality improvement, and Knowledge Translation and Exchange tools (electronic communications, web-based solutions) to facilitate the transfer of knowledge across stakeholders (traditional knowledge keepers, communities, providers, researchers and decision-makers) to: improve the quality and utility of research undertaken in communities; shift research from a focus on documenting the problem, to wise practice intervention research to inform and improve practice; learn from providers and inform providers of advances that might support their practice; and link community voice and research output with decision-makers, to ensure that evidence informs policy decision-making. The FNHSSM PEKE will bring together traditional knowledge keepers, service providers, researchers and decision-makers to share learning from this process, and encourage the framing of wise practices through this conceptual lens.
Impact
As a team we will go beyond individual diseases to address health in a wholistic way, Pimatiziwin, walking in balance. We intend to strategically mobilize existing networks. The FNHSSM PEKE does not require the creation of a new mechanism, but rather focus on better utilization of existing networks and information exchange opportunities.
Our goal is to instill HOPE in the future of Manitoba First Nations and other Indigenous communities nationally and internationally, by implementing effective health interventions that improve health and also promote a positive outlook on the contribution of traditional ways of healing in the pursuit of wholistic health.
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