I-HeLTI News & Updates
News:
Collaborating Centre
Better Beginnings Workshop: The Collaborating Centre participated in the Better Beginnings workshop at the Alt Hotel University District. Along with about 32 Alberta-based pregnancy cohorts, the delegates from the collaborating center participated in open discussions around several related projects, community engagement strategies and data management. The I-HeLTI team from Maskwacis also provided an overview of the project and updates in October, 2025.
Meeting with New Scientific Director CIHR: A strategic meeting was held with the Scientific Director of the CIHR Institue of Indigenous Peoples health (IIPH) to connect on the progress of the research and discuss future directions for the I-HeLTI project. This gathering supported the relationship building within the team and the CIHR team, reinforcing I-HeLTI’s commitment to national collaboration and Indigenous partnership. Read more: CIHR IRSC March 25, 2025 Newsletter
Indigenous Data Sovereignty: Data Sovereignty made it to daytime television as Dr. Vanessa Watts, Assistant Professor in the McMaster’s department of sociology and Indigenous Studies, sat down with the ladies of The Social on CTV to share what Indigenous Data Sovereignty is and why it’s important. Watch the segment here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtWlCHn5Pv0
Read the latest in our comprehensive I-HeLTI Newsletter for May 2025.
The Collaborating Centre leads attended the Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health Think Tank in October, 2025. You can read more about the event in the National Indigenous Health Listening Tour Newsletter here, and by watching the video below.
The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council
More information to come
The Wood Buffalo Research Team
University of Alberta, Folio Digital, April 2023: A New Way of Doing Research
CIHR Institute of Gender & Health on X, Aunties within Reach
Alberta’s Aunties Within Reach Promotes Indigenous Mothers’ Reproductive Health – Medscape – June 25, 2025.
The Wâhkohtowin Research Group
More information to come
Events:
Join the NCCMT for practice-based learning experiences, personalized and at your own pace. Connect with and learn from your peers. These sessions will leave you confident and equipped to deliver high-quality programs and services. Options from May 13, 2026 to November 25, 2026. Learn more about the free webinars and the workshop series here.
Indigenous Methodologies, Data & Community Governance is part of the Big IDEAs About Health Data speaker series, which features a variety of experts discussing how data can be used to advance health equity. Online event on Thursday, May 28, from 11 am to 12 pm MDT. Find more info and register here.
Indigenous-led research: Reclaiming knowledge, re-defining health Friday, May 29, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Join Fraser Health for an Indigenous student panel showcasing research that’s re-defining and renewing Indigenous health and wellness. Scholars will reflect on how their research is transforming health systems and metrics of wellness. Find more info and register here.
The 2026 Scientific Meeting of the Canadian DOHaD Society will be held June 2–3, 2026, at Western University in London, Ontario. Find more info and register here.
Send us your events! If you have events that you would like to share, please send us an e-mail at reception@afnigc.ca to the attention of the I-HeLTI Collaborating Centre.
Learning and Training Opportunities:
The Evaluation Capacity Network: Indigenous –Informed Logic Models/theories of Change: The webinar discusses the differences between Western logic models/theories of change vs. Indigenous ones, and how to incorporate the latter into your own programming. The guest speaker highlights differences such as taking a strengths-based approach that prioritizes the restoration of balance within communities, community relationships, collective well-being, connection to land, community-led action and decision-making, and cultural revitalization.
Send us your training opportunities! If you have any training that will assist our researchers, please send us an e-mail at reception@afnigc.ca to the attention of the I-HeLTI Collaborating Centre.