The Centre for Aboriginal Health Research (CAHR)

Latest CAHR news

January 2010 - Registration is now open: Conference on Small Water Systems Management for the Promotion of Indigenous Health, March 21-23, 2010!

January 2010 - Registration is now open: Conference on Small Water Systems Management for the Promotion of Indigenous Health, March 21-23, 2010!

On March 21, 22 & 23, 2010 our Centre for Aboriginal Health Research (CAHR) at the University of Victoria will host the Consensus Conference on Small Water Systems Management for the Promotion of Indigenous Health at the University of Victoria (UVic).
This conference is being hosted in collaboration with the Network Environments for Aboriginal Research BC (NEARBC), the Water & Aquatic Sciences Research Program at UVic, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and the BC Environmental & Occupational Health Research Network (BCEOHRN).
Timed to coincide with UN World Water Day, this conference will bring together participants from Canada and abroad for two days of presentations and panel sessions. Four major themes to be addressed are: science and technology; government policy; traditional knowledge and spirituality; and, Indigenous politics and advocacy. These themes may be explored from many geographic focus points including local, provincial, national, and international. This conference will bring together 150 participants from Canada and abroad for two days of presentations and panel sessions. 
Registration is free of charge and begins on January 4th, 2010. A limited number of travel bursaries will be available for domestic and international participants. All forms are available below.

• View the conference poster.
• Register for the conference.
• Apply for a domestic travel bursary.
• Apply for an international travel bursary.

Questions can be directed to Rachel Link at rlink@uvic.ca or (250) 853-3115. 

November 2009 - Call for Abstracts for our Consensus Conference on Small Water Systems Management for the Promotion of Indigenous Health, March 21-23, 2010!

November 2009 - Call for Abstracts for our Consensus Conference on Small Water Systems Management for the Promotion of Indigenous Health, March 21-23, 2010!

The Centre for Aboriginal Health Research (CAHR), in collaboration with Network Environments for Aboriginal Research BC (NEARBC), and Water and Aquatic Sciences Research Programme - all based at the University of Victoria - is hosting a two-day Consensus Conference on Small Water Systems Management for the Promotion of Indigenous Health on March 21-23, 2010, to coincide with the United Nations World Water Day.  Four major themes to be covered by the conference are: science and technology; government policy; traditional knowledge and spirituality; and, Indigenous politics and advocacy.  These themes may be explored from many geographic focus points including local, provincial, national, and international.

To supplement the paper presentations made in formal plenary sessions; to showcase the diversity of research undertaken by students, communities, and interest groups; and to create opportunities for students to develop their public speaking and networking skills; the Conference Preparatory Committee is including time in the conference agenda for students to use poster presentations to disseminate their research to conference participants and guest speakers. 

The Conference Preparatory Committee will evaluate submissions based on quality and relevance.  Submissions received after the deadline will not be considered unless prior arrangements have been made with the conference coordinator.  Successful applicants will present their work at the conference in March and abstracts for their posters will be published in the final report of the conference proceedings.  Because of this, conference sponsors require a non-exclusive copyright license for posters and poster summaries.  As there is limited funding available to subsidize poster presenters’ travel expenses, successful applicants will be encouraged to explore other sources to fund their participation in this event.

Please submit a one-page summary to Danielle Perron at dperron@uvic.ca by February 8, 2010.

 Abstracts should include:

1. Background, purpose, methods, findings (or preliminary findings, or expectations) and conclusions.
2. Contact information.
3. Level of education or occupation, and institutional affiliation. 
4. Maximum allowable dimensions for posters will be 3’ x 5’. 

Important Dates:

February 8, 2010 – Application deadline for poster presentations
February 15, 2010– Applicants notified of their success
March 21-23, 2010 – Conference Dates

There will be no registration fees for attending this conference and general registration will be announced at a later date on our website.

For further information please email Danielle Perron at dperron@uvic.ca.

We and our collaborating partners thank you for your interest. 

November 2009 - Watch “Your Heart: It’s in Your Hands” video featuring our director, Dr. Jeff Reading.

November 2009 - Watch “Your Heart: It’s in Your Hands” video featuring our director, Dr. Jeff Reading.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation Video: Your Heart: It’s in your Hands
First Nations people are more likely to have high blood pressure than the general population.
This 24 minute video will help you learn about high blood pressure and offers suggestions about what you can do to live a healthier lifestyle from members of your own community. Learn how Chief Patrick Madahbee made lifestyle changes to lower his blood pressure. Hear how Mary Grace McGregor, an Elder in the Whitefish River First Nation, uses the Medicine Wheel to help her find balance in her life. Be inspired by Charles Shawanda as he works toward a healthier life. Find out from Dr. Jeff Reading how changes in First Nations’ traditional lifestyles have impacted their health.

October 2009 - CAHR published its first book: The crisis of chronic disease among Aboriginal Peoples: A challenge for public health, population health and social policy!

October 2009 - CAHR published its first book: The crisis of chronic disease among Aboriginal Peoples: A challenge for public health, population health and social policy!

We are pleased to announce our second publication: The crisis of chronic disease among Aboriginal Peoples: A challenge for public health, population health and social policy.The book has been published by the centre this month and will be distributed by CAHR free of charge across Canada. We’d like to acknowledge our funders, MSFHR, CIHR and NEARBC, who made a free distribution possible. If you wish to receive a hard copy please contact Rachel Link and provide your mailing address.

August 2009 - Our first publication: Global Indigenous Health Research Symposium Report!

August 2009 - Our first publication: Global Indigenous Health Research Symposium Report!

We are pleased to announce the publication of Global Indigenous Health Research Symposium (GIHRS) Report. This book includes plenary session papers, presenter biographies, and symposium poster presentations (Dyad abstracts). For more information about the symposium, please visit the GIHRS page.

• Read the symposium report
• Watch the symposium video (Part 1 | Part 2)
• Order a complimentary copy of the report and/or the video via email

August 2009 - New Advanced Course in Aboriginal Health by Dr. Jeff Reading

August 2009 - New Advanced Course in Aboriginal Health by Dr. Jeff Reading

A new graduate course (HSD 580, Course Registration #12014) on Aboriginal Health is being offered this fall on Monday and Thursday from 10:00 to 11:20 am. The introductory course is an overview of Aboriginal population health issues (chronic disease, health and social policy) and is open to registered graduate students in all Faculties and Departments. Senior undergraduate students may be considered. If you are an interested senior undergraduate student please email Dr. Reading at jreading@uvic.ca.

The course will be taught by Professor Jeff Reading, inaugural Scientific Director of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health (2000 to 2008) and current director of the new Centre for Aboriginal Health Research at the University of Victoria. A new text book has been written by Dr. Jeff Reading will be available for the course. Students will be expected to attend lectures, participate in discussions and develop a community based research proposal on an Aboriginal health topic of their choice.

For more information please view the poster and course description.

July 2009 - Centre for Aboriginal Health Research launches new website!

July 2009 - Centre for Aboriginal Health Research launches new website!

The Centre for Aboriginal Health Research (CAHR) is pleased to announce the launch of our new website. Our centre is dedicated to promoting and engaging in health research in partnership with Aboriginal peoples to improve their health.

CAHR is a University of Victoria research centre that was created in May 2008. We have engaged communities through research, and collaborative projects and events.

If you or your community is interested in collaborating with us please contact us.

July 2009 - Network Environments for Aboriginal Research BC (NEARBC) and CAHR presents Pathways to Health and Healing Conference

July 2009 - Network Environments for Aboriginal Research BC (NEARBC) and CAHR presents Pathways to Health and Healing Conference

Network Environments for Aboriginal Research BC and the Centre for Aboriginal Health Research invite you to attend a two-day conference scheduled for September 24th and 25th, 2009 at the University of Victoria’s First People’s House.

The Conference will include presentations from Aboriginal Health Authorities and a panel of expert Aboriginal health researchers. The Conference will offer an opportunity for discussion on the recent Provincial Health Officer’s Report on the Health and Well-being of Aboriginal People in BC and future directions in Aboriginal health research. The Conference will also offer an opportunity for networking between communities and researchers.

Welcoming remarks from His Honour, The Honourable Steven Point, Lieutenant Governor at British Columbia.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Evan Adams

Copies of the PHO Report are available from the Office of the Provincial Health Officer and online at http://www.hls.gov.bc.ca/pho/annual.html

There are a limited number of travel bursaries available.

Registration is limited to 150 attendees.

Please email Velten Pilger at nearbc1@uvic.ca to confirm your attendance by August 20th. Please see poster for more information.

May 2009 - Survey of Indigenous youth at the Cowichan 2008 North American Indigenous Games

May 2009 - Health and mentorship survey of the Indigenous youth participants at the Cowichan 2008 North American Indigenous Games

The Aboriginal Youth Lifestyle Survey (AYLS) is a self-administered survey about youth tobacco use and other health-related factors. Over 300 youth participants at the Cowichan 2008 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in Duncan, British Columbia, completed the survey. The findings revealed a very healthy sample of youth who scored high on many health-related indicators. The authors are disseminating the findings through journal article submissions and presentations at a variety of conferences across Canada. Visit the project's official webpage to find out where they will be presenting next.

March 2009 - Dr. Jeff Reading presents to the Senate of Canada Subcommittee on Population Health

March 2009 - Dr. Jeff Reading presents to the Senate of Canada Subcommittee on Population Health

Dr. Jeff Reading, Professor and Director of the UVic Centre for Aboriginal Health Research, recently made a presentation along with other leaders in Aboriginal health in Canada to the Senate of Canada, Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Population Health, on the topic of Population Health Policy for Aboriginal Peoples. 

The focus was on examining factors and conditions that contribute to Aboriginal health disparities. Dr. Reading also submitted a written report to the Subcommittee.  He has made a number of presentations on Aboriginal health to the Parliamentary Sub-Committee and Standing Senate Committees.

March 2009 - Canadian Heart Health Strategy released: Aboriginal focus highlighted

March 2009 - Canadian Heart Health Strategy released: Aboriginal focus highlighted

The Canadian Heart Health Strategy and Action Plan (CHHS-AP): Building a Heart Healthy Canada and Realizing our Vision was released on February 24, 2009 by Dr. Eldon R. Smith, Chair of the CHHS-AP Steering Committee; Leona Agulukkaq, Federal Minister of Health; and Dr. David Butler-Jones, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, along with other lead organizations involved in its development.

The reports outlines a national strategy to address cardiovascular disease, including Aboriginal and indigenous communities which are affected disproportionately at double the rate of likelihood of developing heart disease or stroke of other Canadians.   Dr. Jeff Reading, Director of the Centre for Aboriginal Health Research, was in attendance in his capacity as Steering Committee member of the CHHS-AP, and the Co-Chair, along with Richard Jock, Co-Chair, of the Theme 4 Working Group Addressing and enhancing Aboriginal/indigenous cardiovascular health.  The Co-Chairs presented their Theme Working Groups reports to the Steering Committee in January 2008.

The CHHS-AP was an independent, stakeholder-driven initiative led in partnership with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, the Canadian Cardiovascular Society and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

January 2009 - CAHR welcomes Dr. Charlotte Reading to UVic

January 2009 - CAHR welcomes Dr. Charlotte Reading to UVic

Dr. Charlotte Reading, a Professor with the School of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Health Professions, Dalhousie University, has joined UVic’s new School of Public Health and Social Policy in the Faculty of Human and Social Development.  Dr. Reading is an accomplished professor and Aboriginal health researcher with extensive experience and expertise in such areas including Aboriginal health disparities, human sexuality, women’s health and HIV/AIDS.  She joins CAHR as a Research Affiliate and has an office at CAHR.

Loppie Reading, C. & Wien, F. (2009).  Health inequities and social determinants of Aboriginal Peoples’ health. Prince George: National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health.