Feds announce $100M investment to research Indigenous health at UVic

The Canadian federal government is set to invest over $100 million into Indigenous health research, according to an announcement made at the University of Victoria (UVic)

The $100.8 million investment will be rolled out over 16 years and is part of the national Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR) Program.

The NEIHR program was established to support Indigenous community-based health across the country that is rooted in the values and priorities of Indigenous peoples.

See also: UVic receives $9.1M federal grant to build national Indigenous law centre

According to the federal government, Indigenous Peoples in Canada experience a greater percentage of serious health issues than the rest of the country’s population.

“Improving the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples in Canada is a priority for our government,” said Canada’s Minister of Health, Ginette Petitpas Taylor in a statement.

“We believe that health research is one of the best investments we can make to ensure better health outcomes for Indigenous communities. The NEIHR Program will not only build capacity for research and create networks of experts – it will also support the next generation of Indigenous health researchers.”

Indigenous researchers, Elders, knowledge users, and organizations will be involved with the multi-province research.

The $100.8 million funding plan is described as the largest single investment into Indigenous health research that the federal government has ever committed.

The announcement comes after the federal government announced that UVic would receive over $9 million to build Canada’s first ever national Indigenous Law Centre.

“The University of Victoria is deeply committed to reconciliation with Canada’s Indigenous Peoples,” said Jamie Cassels, QC, President of the UVic. “This commitment is reflected in our Indigenous community-engaged education and research.”

“Together, professors, Elders, communities and students—Indigenous and non-Indigenous—can build new knowledge and capacity to promote health, resilience and well-being.”