The Rankin government is providing $150,000 in annual funding for five years for a new Mi’kmaw Chair in Healthy L’nu Communities at Cape Breton University.
The new chair was created to incorporate and gather L’nu knowledge to improve health outcomes of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw. It will be a community-based model for health research and practice, and is a collaboration among Nova Scotia’s Mi’kmaw communities, Tajikeimik (Mi’kmaw Health & Wellness), the Department of Health and Wellness, the Nova Scotia Health Authority, IWK Health Centre and other partners.
“We work every day to ensure a quality, equitable and sustainable health-care system that promotes the health and well-being of all people in Nova Scotia,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Derek Mombourquette, on behalf of Health and Wellness Minister Zach Churchill. “Our health-care system can only become stronger by incorporating Mi’kmaw ways of knowing to promote and support better outcomes for Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw.”
The chair will also:
- collaborate with Mi’kmaw across the province to identify and implement research projects that incorporate and gather L’nu knowledge
- work to improve the long-term health outcomes of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw by incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing in health promotion strategies
- support and promote Mi’kmaw leadership and self-governance in health and wellness
- reduce inequities between Mi’kmaw and non-Indigenous populations through culturally informed health practices
- build community capacity through the promotion of health professions and recruitment of Mi’kmaw students to health professions
Cape Breton University has begun a search to fill the role.
Quotes:
Cape Breton University has been an educational partner to Mi’kmaw communities for more than 40 years. We are very pleased to build on this through the establishment of the Chair in Healthy L’nu Communities and play a role in creating a community-led approach to health promotion. This initiative aligns with CBU’s strategic priorities and helps us meet our commitments to indigenize the L’nu way and champion the island’s prosperity in a collaborative and meaningful way. – David C. Dingwall, president and vice-chancellor, Cape Breton University
Incorporating Mi’kmaw ways of knowing into health promotion and health-care delivery is a positive step forward as we work with partners to better meet the health needs of our community members. The new Chair in Healthy L’nu Communities will bring an important perspective and help us as we collaborate to improve health outcomes for the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia. – Chief Norman Bernard, Wagmatcook First Nation
Quick Facts:
- L’nu is a Mi’kmaw word meaning “the people” and refers primarily, but not exclusively, to the Mi’kmaq people
- Cape Breton University’s Unama’ki College focuses on the academic study, research and teaching of Mi’kmaw First Nation’s history, culture, language, governance, spirituality and science
- courses in Mi’kmaq Studies have been offered at Cape Breton University for more than 30 years