Sekuwe (My House): building health equity through Dene First Nations housing designs.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada determined that the Dene people, among other Indigenous groups, experienced cultural genocide through policies that separated them from their lands and resources, and from their families, languages, cultures, and by forcibly sending children to Indian Residential Schools. The resultant social inequity is manifested in conditions of social injustice including inadequate housing. The Dene healthy housing research was a continuing partnership between the two Dene First Nation communities, the university and a provincial First Nation non-government organisation. This project engaged the creative energies of university students and Dene senior-high students to create and articulate Dene healthy housing so that concepts/plans/designs are ready for future funding interventions. We co-developed methods and networks to reframe housing as a social determinant of health and an important factor in social justice. This project reflects the fundamental requirement for a respectful understanding of Dene perspectives on housing and health and the need for Dene control over their built environment.

A Dene First Nation's community readiness assessment to take action against HIV/AIDS: a pilot project.

BACKGROUND: Among Indigenous people in Canada the incidence of HIV is 3.5 times higher than other ethnicities. In Manitoba First Nations, Metis and Inuit people are disproportionately represented (40%) among people who are new to HIV care. Northlands Denesuline First Nation (NDFN) identified the need to revisit their level of knowledge and preparedness for responding to the increasing rates of HIV. NDFN piloted a community readiness assessment (CRA) tool to assess its appropriateness for use in northern Manitoba. METHODS: A First Nation and non-First Nation research team trained to administer the CRA tool at NDFN in Manitoba. Five informants were interviewed using the CRA tool and the responses were scored, analysed and reviewed at community workshops and with stakeholders to develop a 1-year action plan. RESULTS: CRA training was best conducted in the community. Using the readiness score of 2.4 along with feedback from two workshops, community members, the research team and stakeholders, we identified priorities for adult education and youth involvement in programmes and planning. CONCLUSIONS: In response to the increasing incidence of HIV, a northern First Nation community successfully modified and implemented a CRA tool to develop an action plan for culturally appropriate interventions and programmes.