Funding outcome

Indigenous children in Canada experience health inequalities compared to non-Indigenous children. Social and emotional well-being (SEWB) is a concept that recognizes the impacts of colonialism, racism, trauma across generations, and other experiences on the health and well-being of Indigenous children. The concept of SEWB also recognizes sources of strength and healing to overcome health inequalities. It is important for Indigenous groups in Canada, including the Métis, to develop ways to measure the SEWB of Indigenous children that are appropriate to their communities. This information is important to help develop policies and programs that are relevant and meaningful for Indigenous communities. This research will develop measures of SEWB that are appropriate for Métis children in Alberta. We will use a variety of methods that include existing scientific evidence, Métis knowledge, and methods to reach agreement and make decisions. We will review previous scientific studies on measures of SEWB that are specific to Indigenous children. The results of these studies will be used to create a list of possible measures of SEWB for Métis children in Alberta. This list will be shared with parents and caregivers of Métis children in Alberta, as well as representatives from the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA), to reach agreement on measures of SEWB that are appropriate for Métis children in Alberta. Parents and caregivers of Métis children will also be invited to share their own ideas about important measures of SEWB for Métis children. This research will help inform the development of a 10-year strategy to support the health and well-being of Métis children in Alberta.