Coast Salish Territory – The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and Simon Fraser University (SFU) have signed a Research Affiliation Agreement that will increase access to federal government funds for research into Indigenous health, and help FNHA to build capacity to receive federal grants directly in the future.
At present, SFU is the financial lead for FNHA's publicly-funded research such as the $2.5 million Indigenizing Harm Reduction project developed to improve the health system's response to the impact of the opioid crisis on BC First Nations.
“Managing research grants directly will enable us to focus more on improving Indigenous health outcomes," said Richard Jock, FNHA's Interim CEO.
“This is a first-of-its-kind agreement that will help shape our growing research relationship with BC First Nations," said SFU's Vice-President, Research and International, Joy Johnson.
This agreement gives unprecedented pre-eminence to First Nations principles governing how data is collected, protected, used and shared. This is known technically as OCAP®, which stands of Ownership, Control, Access and Possession. In practice this ensures priority will be given to protecting First Nations collective ownership of their data.
In addition, SFU will support FNHA with training and funds to develop its capacities in financial management and ethics reviewing so that FNHA can eventually fully control its own research funding.
Background
First Nations Health Authority
FNHA is the first province-wide health authority of its kind in Canada. Guided by the vision of embedding cultural safety and humility into health service delivery, it is responsible for planning, management and service delivery and funding of health programs in partnership with communities.
FNHA engages in research and supports appropriate ways of gathering and managing knowledge that helps leaders and planners strengthen the health and wellness of BC First Nations.
Learn more:
To find out more about First Nations Health Authority, visit: http://www.fnha.ca/
Media contact:
First Nations Health Authority
604-831-4898
Simon Fraser University
As Canada's engaged university, SFU works with communities, organizations and partners to create, share and embrace knowledge that improves life and generates real change. We deliver a world-class education with lifelong value that shapes change-makers, visionaries and problem-solvers. We connect research and innovation to entrepreneurship and industry to deliver sustainable, relevant solutions to today's problems. With campuses in British Columbia's three largest cities—Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey—SFU has eight faculties that deliver 193 undergraduate degree programs and 127 graduate degree programs to more than 35,000 students. The university now boasts more than 160,000 alumni residing in 143 countries.
Learn more:
To find out more about Simon Fraser University, visit: www.sfu.ca
