About IIPH
The statistics are familiar to many of us. The gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and other Canadians is seven years. Indigenous Peoples are more likely than other Canadians to have hearing, sight and speech disabilities. Indigenous Peoples experience significantly higher rates of diabetes and other diseases than the rest of Canadians.
We already know some of the reasons why the health of Indigenous Peoples is worse than the health of other Canadians, but there is much that we still do not know. The Institute of Indigenous Peoples' Health (IIPH) was developed to help fill in the gaps in our knowledge. Its role is to lead a national advanced research agenda in the area of Indigenous health and promote innovative research that will serve to improve the health of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
IIPH is not only focused on illness, but on wellness too. For instance, we want to know how factors such as Indigenous cultures and spirituality can affect health and wellness.
In collaboration with our advisory board, IIPH asks the health research questions, and provides funding to support researchers who will look into the important answers. We encourage Indigenous students to take up health research, so that they can bring Indigenous perspectives and work with Indigenous communities to improve the health of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. Where non- Indigenous researchers do the research, we make sure that they work well with communities, engaging with them, and partnering with them, so that community wishes are respected.
Who we are
Goals
IIPH is pursuing ambitious goals to improve the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples in every part of Canada by stimulating Indigenous health research, creating new knowledge, forming research partnerships with organizations in Canada and abroad and respectfully involving Indigenous communities in every project undertaken.
Vision
IIPH will strive to improve the health of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people by supporting innovative research programs based on scientific excellence and Indigenous community collaborations that respect communities’ right to self-determination.
Mission
IIPH will play a lead role in developing research capacity in the First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, and will support partnerships and alliances between Indigenous communities and health research groups at the local, regional, national and international levels. IIPH supports health research that respects indigenous values, beliefs and cultures, while generating new knowledge to improve the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples.
Values
At all times, IIPH is guided by the highest ethical and moral standards and its core set of values:
- respect and recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination
- aim to include Indigenous Peoples in all health research activities
- act in an honest, fair and just manner
- conduct all activities and business in a transparent manner
- maintain ethical standards by adhering consistently to essential values and principles
- share new knowledge with all research partners
- present health research findings and knowledge to Indigenous people in a way that is accessible, appropriate and easily understood
What we do
As one of the thirteen Institutes of Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), IIPH shares responsibility for achieving the principal objectives of CIHR.
IIPH is dedicated to supporting research and building research capacity in First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples' health. IIPH research funding supports researchers located in universities, hospitals and other research centres across Canada. Research funding is in the form of grants, funding of capacity building programs and training for Indigenous researchers. View IIPH's funding opportunities.
The IIPH Peer Review Committee in Indigenous Peoples' Health evaluates applications for funding within the research priorities of the IIPH mandate.
A major contribution to improving the health of Indigenous Peoples comes from the IIPH Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR) initiative. This network of research centres allows researchers and Indigenous Peoples to work collaboratively.
IIPH also encourages capacity development by supporting and nurturing graduate students pursuing careers in Indigenous health research.
IIPH encourages partnerships with Indigenous Peoples.
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