Cultural Vitalization as a Health Determinant Among Aboriginal Canadians

Sylvia Abonyi - Principal Investigator

This project will explore the role of culture in health at a general level and more specifically, the role of culture in the health and wellness of Aboriginal peoples.

Current conceptual frameworks and indicators used to understand the role of culture in population health lack depth and sophistication. The role of culture in health is increasingly coming under intense scrutiny at the intellectual and applied levels, so this program of research proposes a comprehensive investigation of the innovative concept of ‘cultural vitalization’.  This approach seeks to operationalize culture in population health as a multiple and dynamic, rather than historical and static, set of phenomena.  The research program combines theoretical examinations of the concept of cultural vitalization, with applied research on a range of health issues and priorities identified by Aboriginal research partners. 

The objectives and key deliverables expected from the project are:

• the development of a conceptual framework and indicators of cultural vitalization in population health that will enhance our success in incorporating culture in the design of health promoting programs and policies; and
• the development of more comprehensive and critical perspectives on the role of culture/curtural vitalization specific to the health of Aboriginal Canadian, including development and training in appropriate program and policy tools to better plan, track, and evaluate population health oriented programs and policieis. 

The research will focus on Aboriginal health in northern and remote contexts, specifically northern Saskatchewan.  Projects within this program of study will be community-based, capacity-building and participatory in orientation.