An investment of $5.4M will further strengthen Indigenous and community-led health research in the territories.
People living in northern and remote communities face unique health challenges shaped by geography, climate and access to services. Strengthening health research grounded in local priorities, lived experience, and Indigenous knowledge is essential to improving health outcomes and advancing health equity across Canada.
Today, the Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories, announced, on behalf of the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, that the Government of Canada is investing $5.4 million to renew support for patient- and community-driven health research in Northwest Territories and Yukon through March 2028, while highlighting an ongoing investment of $4.8 million that was provided to support a similar research effort in Nunavut from 2024 to 2029.
These investments are provided through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) under Canada's Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) as part of an extension of funding for community-oriented research hubs known as SUPPORT Units from coast to coast to coast, with provinces and territories matching CIHR contributions.
This funding enables the SUPPORT Units to offer research and training programs as well as facilitate community engagement in their regions.
- In the Northwest Territories, the Hotıì ts'eeda, hosted by the Tłı̨chǫ Government, will continue connecting local communities, organizations, and researchers to advance health and wellness research grounded in Indigenous priorities and knowledge systems.
- In the Yukon, the Yukon Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research, hosted by Yukon University, will expand the Junior Researcher program, where Indigenous youth work with communities and Elders on projects such as creating stronger pathways to northern health careers.
- In Nunavut, the Paqqijamik Naalangniq, hosted by the Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre, will continue to mobilize knowledge to inform health policy, practices, programs, and care for Nunavummiut.
Together, these initiatives strengthen research capacity, support Indigenous governance in research, and help mobilize evidence into meaningful action to improve health and wellness in Canada's North.
