COAST AND STRAITS SALISH TERRITORY (Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia) - The International Journal of Indigenous Health (IJIH) and First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) are pleased to announce a collaborative call for papers for a special thematic issue on "Wellness-Based Health Interventions". In this special call for papers, the IJIH and FNHA request Community-based Articles, Research Articles, and Research Trainee Articles from academic and community-based researchers and practitioners in Indigenous health. Primary topic areas of interest include: managing chronic disease, mental wellness, building resilience at the community and/or individual level, and using culturally appropriate indicators as a way to measure Indigenous wellness.

"The IJIH is pleased to be working collaboratively with FNHA to welcome and support Indigenous community-based research and practitioner knowledge-based submissions," said Namaste Marsden, IJIH Managing Editor. "This partnership with FNHA is valuable for IJIH as an opportunity to illuminate the cultural strength, knowledge and resiliency of Indigenous peoples inherent in Indigenous wellness-based health interventions and research," said Charlotte Loppie, IJIH Editor.

IJIH welcomes evidence-based promising practices with a focus on health and wellness, explored through an Indigenous lens, within Indigenous communities. Strategies using cultural/traditional Indigenous practices as the central component to promoting Indigenous wellness and addressing health disparities are particularly encouraged.

"This collaborative partnership between the IJIH and FNHA provides a valuable space for First Nations researchers, academics, and community practitioners to comment on areas of interest including effective cultural and wellness focused services and interventions," said Richard Jock, Chief Operating Officer from the FNHA. "We are pleased to partner with the Journal as a forum for discussion and insight to guide us on our collective journey to bring client and community wellness as a key focus for health service delivery."

The FNHA is especially interested in community-based papers that reflect full collaboration with Indigenous partners, focused on and grounded in the intellectual traditions and voices of First Nations residing within the geographic boundaries of what is now known as British Columbia, Canada.

Complete manuscripts that meet the submission guidelines, represent the author's final version, and are ready for peer review, have a deadline of June 1, 2015 September 1, 2015. The FNHA is also offering preliminary screening and advising for community-based researchers and practitioners from within British Columbia. This pre-screening is meant to strengthen the manuscript so that it fits within formal guidelines, including structure, methodology, formatting and language, but maintains community voices and perspectives. If you would like to have your submission reviewed by the FNHA, please submit it before May 1, 2015 August 1, 2015.

Further information and the full call for papers and submission guidelines can be found on both partner websites at: www.uvic.ca/ijih and www.fnha.ca

About the International Journal of Indigenous Health:

Published bi-annually by the Aboriginal Health Research Networks Secretariat in Canada, the International Journal of Indigenous Health was established to advance knowledge and understanding to improve Indigenous health. The journal seeks to bring knowledge from diverse intellectual traditions together with a focus on culturally diverse Indigenous voices, methodologies and epistemology. This peer-reviewed, online, open-access journal shares innovative health research across disciplines, Indigenous communities, and countries. Integral to the journal's mandate is the foundational body of knowledge formed by the Journal of Aboriginal Health established by the National Aboriginal Health Organization (2004) and transferred to the Aboriginal Health Research Networks Secretariat (2012).

About the First Nations Health Authority:

The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) is the first province-wide health authority of its kind in Canada. In 2013, the FNHA assumed the programs, services, and responsibilities formerly handled by Health Canada's First Nations Inuit Health Branch – Pacific Region. The First Nations Health Authority works to reform the way health care is delivered to First Nations in British Columbia (BC) through direct services and collaboration with provincial partners. The First Nations Health Authority is governed by and serves BC First Nations individuals and communities. For more information on the FNHA visit: www.fnha.ca/about

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