The Red River Cart Model: a Métis conceptualization of health and well-being in the context of HIV and other STBBI.

OBJECTIVES: Métis people experience health inequities and often face discrimination when accessing health services. Métis-specific services are limited, and pan-Indigenous approaches to health services fail to acknowledge heterogenous identities and distinct health needs of the Métis. This study explored a Métis response to HIV and other sexually transmitted and blood borne infections to inform public health services development for Métis people. METHODS: As part of the DRUM & SASH Project, this study used a community-based research approach which privileged Métis knowledges and processes. Three gathering circles were held in Alberta, Canada, with self-identified Métis individuals who had lived experience or intimate knowledge of HIV/hepatitis C or worked in HIV/HCV service provision. The gathering circle process integrated Métis cultural practices in discussions about Métis understandings of health. Gathering circles transcripts were used to inform the description of the model emerging through the dialogue. RESULTS: Twelve diverse Métis people participated in gathering circles. Participants identified 12 determinants of health and well-being grounded in Métis culture and imagery, including Métis medicine bag, fiddle, cart tarp, flag, Capote coat, sash, York boat, moccasins, grub box, weapons, tools, and stove. The Red River Cart Model, a Métis-specific model of health to guide service planning, was created from these discussions. CONCLUSION: The Red River Cart Model provides a holistic view of the determinants of Métis health and has potential as a collaborative client assessment resource for STBBI community health service providers. Additionally, this model may be helpful to other health service providers for developing Métis-specific/informed services and improving cultural safety for the Métis.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIFS: Les Métis font face à des iniquités en santé et sont souvent l'objet de discrimination dans leur accès aux services de santé. Les services centrés sur les Métis sont limités, et les approches panautochtones face aux services de santé ne reconnaissent ni l'hétérogénéité des identités, ni les besoins de santé particuliers des Métis. Notre étude a exploré une intervention métisse face au VIH et à d'autres infections transmissibles sexuellement et par le sang (ITSS) pour éclairer l'élaboration de services de santé publique pour les Métis. MéTHODE: Dans le cadre du projet DRUM & SASH, notre étude a utilisé une méthode de recherche de proximité qui a privilégié les savoirs et les processus métis. Trois cercles de rassemblement ont eu lieu en Alberta, au Canada, avec des personnes s'identifiant comme étant métisses et ayant un vécu ou une connaissance intime du VIH ou de l'hépatite C ou ayant travaillé à offrir des services liés au VIH ou au VHC. Le processus des cercles de rassemblement a intégré des pratiques culturelles métisses dans les discussions des savoirs métis en matière de santé. Les transcriptions des cercles de rassemblement ont éclairé la description du modèle ayant émergé de ce dialogue. RéSULTATS: Douze personnes métisses d'horizons divers ont participé aux cercles de rassemblement. Elles ont défini 12 déterminants de la santé et du bien-être ancrés dans la culture et les images métisses : le sac de guérisseur, le violon, la bâche de charrette, le drapeau, le caban, la ceinture fléchée, la barge d'York, les mocassins, le coffre de nourriture, les armes, les outils et la cuisinière. Le modèle Red River Cart (« charrette de la rivière Rouge ¼), un modèle spécifiquement métis de la santé, a été créé à partir de ces discussions pour guider la planification des services. CONCLUSION: Le modèle Red River Cart présente un portrait holistique des déterminants de la santé des Métis et pourrait être une ressource collaborative d'évaluation des patientes et des patients pour les prestataires de services de santé de proximité liés aux ITSS. Ce modèle pourrait aussi être utile à d'autres prestataires de services de santé pour élaborer des services centrés sur les Métis ou éclairés par la culture métisse et pour améliorer la sécurisation culturelle pour les Métis.

The 11th Canadian Symposium on Hepatitis C Virus: 'Getting back on track towards hepatitis C elimination'.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects approximately 204,000 Canadians. Safe and effective direct-acting antiviral therapies have contributed to decreased rates of chronic HCV infection and increased treatment uptake in Canada, but major challenges for HCV elimination remain. The 11th Canadian Symposium on Hepatitis C Virus took place in Ottawa, Ontario on May 13, 2022 as a hybrid conference themed 'Getting back on track towards hepatitis C elimination.' It brought together research scientists, clinicians, community health workers, patient advocates, community members, and public health officials to discuss priorities for HCV elimination in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had devastating effects on HCV care in Canada, particularly on priority populations. Plenary sessions showcased topical research from prominent international and national researchers, complemented by select abstract presentations. This event was hosted by the Canadian Network on Hepatitis C (CanHepC), with support from the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and in partnership with the Canadian Liver Meeting. CanHepC has an established record in HCV research and in advocacy activities to address improved diagnosis and treatment, and immediate and long-term needs of those affected by HCV infection. The Symposium addressed the remaining challenges and barriers to HCV elimination in priority populations and principles for meaningful engagement of Indigenous communities and individuals with living and lived experience in HCV research. It emphasized the need for disaggregated data and simplified pathways for creating and monitoring interventions for equitably achieving elimination targets.

Assessing the acceptability of dried blood spot testing for HIV and STBBI among Métis people in a community driven pilot project in Alberta, Canada.

BACKGROUND: Little literature exists on culturally grounded approaches for addressing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI) among Métis people. The goal of this mixed-methods research was to explore the experiences of Métis community members participating in a dried blood spot testing (DBST) for HIV/STBBI pilot for Métis communities in Alberta, Canada, with the aim of assessing the acceptability of this testing method. METHODS: Grounded in community-based and Indigenous research approaches and working in partnership with a Métis community-based organization, data collection included a survey and four gathering circles with Métis DBST recipients at one of two community events, and semi-structured interviews with three DBST providers. RESULTS: Twenty-six of the 30 DBST recipients completed surveys, and 19 DBST recipients participated in gathering circles. Survey results suggest DBST is a highly acceptable STBBI testing method to Métis community members. Thematic analysis of gathering circle and interview transcripts revealed four broad themes related to the participants' experiences with DBST related to its acceptability (i. ease of DBST process, ii. overcoming logistical challenges associated with existing STBBI testing, iii. Reducing stigma through health role models and event-based, and iv. Métis-specific services). CONCLUSIONS: These findings illustrate the potential for DBST to be part of a culturally grounded, Métis-specific response to HIV and STBBI.

An Elder's View of Community Resilience.

This paper is an interview between Carrielynn Lund and Cree Elder Ruth Gladue on research and community resilience in her semi-remote, northern Alberta community. Ruth is a Cree Elder born "during the war years." She is married and has two girls, one boy, and "a few grandchildren." Ruth has worked as a Community Health Representative (CHR) and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for over forty years. She lives in a semi-remote First Nations community in northern Alberta.