Introduction, Page 9:
"Indigenous health in Saskatchewan and in Canada as a whole, is in critical condition and requires immediate attention. The statistics from several recent studies including the Canadian Community Health Survey (2000/01), the 2001 Census Aboriginal Population profile, the First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey, (2002/3), and the Saskatchewan Health Research Strategy (2004), reflect dismal conditions for Indigenous people’s health and wellness in Canada and Saskatchewan. Social, economic, political, and cultural changes have had significant impacts on health and well-being. The Indigenous population represents the fastest growing segment of the population and experiences a disproportionate burden of illness. Given the poor state of health, the growing population is identified as a crucial determinant for a concerted effort to develop a health research strategy to address health issues. The growing population may be a key factor in the success of the Indigenous population in addressing health disparities. The report of the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation in 2004 – Saskatchewan Health Research Strategy - identified this province as “uniquely placed to do something about the issue, and that a strong and productive Indigenous sector is critical to Saskatchewan’s accomplishments in future”. The Indigenous Peoples’ Health Research Centre recognizes that the supportive health research environment, coupled with a growing awareness and capacity in the Indigenous population to address health issues, will contribute significantly to collaborative Indigenous health research endeavors in the near future. IPHRC is a joint initiative of the University of Regina, University of Saskatchewan, and the First Nations University of Canada, funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) through the Institute of Aboriginal Peoples Health (IAPH) and the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF). IPHRC is engaged in establishing a research environment to increase Indigenous health research capacity and in facilitating the development of Indigenous health research in Saskatchewan to support continued success in the areas of Indigenous health and health research. We recognize that despite the plethora of health issues, the Indigenous population is increasing and making strides on many fronts including education and health research.
Saskatchewan is a large province covering diverse geographical terrain that has many implications in terms of population and settlement, access to services and service delivery, and types of economic activities, to name a few. For these reasons, there are different health ‘issues’ depending upon the locale that is under examination. For example, access to services means one thing to those who live in the central area of the province and have ready access to an urban centre with health facilities. It means something different to individuals who live in fly-in communities north of LaRonge (a ‘northern’ city that is geographical central in the province). Each author was responsible for facilitating community based Indigenous health research in one specific area and focused on the communities in their geographical region. Accordingly, the health issues in general, are strikingly similar; however, we see a few distinctions that may be attributable to geographical locale. These issues reflect a different priority depending upon their north, central, or southern location in the province. The authors restricted their respective commentaries to their region of focus, which serves to highlight the issues.
This report records and summarizes a collection of information from key advisors and Indigenous community members, all of whom work in the area of health or are involved in Indigenous health and Indigenous health research in some capacity." (9).
Indigenous Peoples' Health Research Centre. 2006.