The Indigenous Cognitive Health Program

Leads:

Pamela Roach and Jennifer Walker

Who are we?

The Indigenous Cognitive Health (ICH) program supports the development and implementation of Indigenous-centered dementia research in ways that platform Indigenous perspectives, priorities, and knowledge. Through its collaboration with the Dementia Research Support Hub, the ICH program promotes awareness of Indigenous ways of knowing, self-determination, and data sovereignty in order to disseminate culturally appropriate Indigenous health research practices throughout the CCNA.

Compilation of Resources Pathway

The ICH Program Pathway to Culturally Safe Indigenous Cognitive Health Research Practices (pathway) is a compilation of resources made by others (e.g., organizations, people, institutions, etc.) and internally produced webinars to inform those seeking guidance in Indigenous Cognitive Health research. The pathway is an informal opportunity to access suggested readings, courses, and content created by others that we feel are important to access. This resource document outlines the pathway, providing a comprehensive list of materials to review.

Click here to access the compilation of resources

This resource document outlines the pathway, providing a comprehensive list of materials to review.

We decided to create a resource compilation because we did not want to duplicate materials that already existed and felt that an organized, curated collection would help people navigate the large volume of information that is already available.
Our advice when going through the pathway is to explore it with a group of people. Find a group to navigate the pathway together and appoint a facilitator who will organize meetings to have group reflections on each step. As you move in cycles, continue to progress through the pathway.

There is no need to ‘complete’ all the resources before moving onto the next step. Reflection is vital, and returning to the step again in a cycle is important to deepen your learning. The process of continued learning is very important.

Community-Centered Research

To see examples of past and current work from Indigenous, CCNA-affiliated researchers, please visit Indigenous community-centered research in the CCNA. This page is an archive for CCNA phases I and II. It also has current information on CCNA Phase III team grants which focus on Indigenous cognitive health research.

Visit Indigenous Community-Centered Research

Dementia Research Guidance

For a first step introduction to Indigenous cognitive health research for non-Indigenous researchers.

See Indigenous Dementia Research Guidance

Indigenous Perspectives on Dementia and Dementia Care

Indigenous perspectives on dementia and dementia care includes videos and reports as well as a reading list that explores literature with the link below.

Visit Indigenous Perspectives on Dementia and Dementia Care

Indigenous Data

As researchers working with Indigenous data, it is important to understand Indigenous data sovereignty. To learn about the CCNA Indigenous-specific publication and data access review process, please visit the link below

Accessing and Working with Indigenous Data

Community-Centered Indigenous Cognitive Health Network

A space dedicated to Indigenous researchers, including trainees and community members, this tab highlights an Indigenous-led initiative called Community-Centered Indigenous Cognitive Health Network (CICHN, pronounced ‘kitchen’). CICHN supports self-determined Indigenous cognitive health research.

See CICHN

To contact the Indigenous Cognitive Health Program, please email: ich@ccna-ccnv.ca