April 1, 2020 – With the support and partnership of Métis Nation – Saskatchewan (MN-S), Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) and Whitecap Dakota First Nation, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and lead, Métis scholar, Dr. Caroline Tait are being awarded $5 million dollars to head-up a national research project to address Indigenous health disparities in First Nations and Métis communities.

On board from the very beginning, MN-S and Minister of Health, Marg Friesen, assisted with the initial pitch to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and subsequent follow-ups required for the advisory team to secure these grant monies.

This marks the first time MN-S has entered into a partnership of this nature and it’s resulted in the largest-ever single investment in Indigenous health research in Canadian history.  This funding will establish a network of 9 Health Research Centres in Canada, including a Saskatchewan network led by Dr. Tait that includes a Métis research network, and a National Coordinating Centre, also led by Dr. Tait, to facilitate national and international research partnerships

Dr. Tait said this Indigenous-led, community approach will help improve the health of Indigenous peoples by removing current barriers in health research and matching the needs of the communities with the appropriate research interests and expertise.

For the full media release go here.