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Purpose Despite a growing body of literature on the link between residential mobility and suicidal ideation, research into potential mediating or moderating factors, especially among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, is sparse. This study explores the mediating and moderating roles of food insecurity in the relationship between residential mobility and suicidal ideation in Indigenous Canadian adults. Methods Data from the 2017 Aboriginal Peoples Survey, which represent a national sample of off-reserve First Nations peoples, Métis, and Inuit in Canada ( N  = 16,214), were analyzed using logistic regression models. Results Food insecurity partially mediated the association between residential mobility in the past 5 years and increased suicidal ideation risk among Indigenous adults. Moreover, food insecurity intensified the adverse link between residential mobility during this same timeframe and suicidal ideation. Yet, while food insecurity did mediate the adverse relationship between residential mobility in the past year and suicidal ideation, it did not function as a moderator. Conclusion The results emphasize that food insecurity, as a systemic challenge, acts as both a partial mediator and, in some circumstances, an amplifier of the detrimental impacts of residential mobility on suicidal ideation.

Background Older adults benefit considerably from Internet use, as it can improve their overall health and quality of life, for example through accessing healthcare services and reducing social isolation. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence and characteristics of Indigenous older adults in Canada who do not use the Internet. Methods The Aboriginal Peoples Survey (APS) 2017 was used and analysis was restricted to those above 65 years of age. The main outcome variable was non-use of the internet in a typical month. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to assess the relationship between each of the sociodemographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle and health factors and internet non-use. Results The prevalence of Indigenous older adults who reported never using the Internet in a typical month was 33.6% with the highest prevalence reported by residents of the Canadian territories while the lowest prevalence was reported in British Columbia. After adjustment, results indicated that older age (OR = 4.02, 95% CI 3.54–4.57 comparing 80+ to 65–69 years of age), being a male (OR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.41–1.63), married (OR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.25–1.44), and living in rural areas (OR = 1.95, 95% CI 1.79–2.13) increased the odds of not using the Internet. First Nation individuals and those who have a strong sense of belonging to the Indigenous identity were more likely to not use the Internet compared to their counterparts. In addition, those who were less educated (OR = 8.74, 95% CI 7.03–1 0.87 comparing less than secondary education to Bachelor’s Degree and above), unemployed (OR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.26–1.57), smoked cigarettes, used marijuana and those with lower self-perceived mental health and unmet health needs were at increased odds of Internet non-use compared to their counterparts. Conclusions Findings from this study show that a large proportion of the Indigenous older adults in Canada do not use the internet. It is necessary to address Indigenous communities’ lack of internet access and to create interventions that are consistent with Indigenous values, traditions, and goals.

Background Indigenous Peoples comprise the youngest and fastest growing demographic in Canada, with many living in urban-suburban areas. Given higher fertility rates, younger overall ages and higher adolescent pregnancy rates, perinatal research is needed—to inform policymaking and programming throughout pregnancy and childhood. Yet such data remain scarce in British Columbia (BC), Canada. This study therefore aimed to describe the experiences of young, urban, Indigenous mothers-to-be who enrolled in a larger BC early prevention trial designed to reach families experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage. Methods This descriptive study utilized baseline data from a trial that enrolled first-time mothers-to-be who met indicators of socioeconomic disadvantage and who were residing in select urban-suburban areas. These indicators included being young (19 years or younger) or having limited income, low access to education, and being single (aged 20−24 years). We described and compared survey data on girls ( n  = 109; aged 14−19 years) and young women ( n  = 91; aged 20−24 years) using Chi-square or Student’s t -tests. Results Of the 739 trial participants, 200 or 27% identified as Indigenous and met trial eligibility criteria: limited income (92.9%), limited access to education (67.0%), and/or being single (90.9%). Beyond this, participants reported associated adversities including: unstable housing (63.3%), psychological distress (29.3%), severe anxiety or depression (48.5%), experiences of childhood maltreatment (59.4%) and intimate partner violence (39.5%). Compared to girls, young women reported higher income and educational attainment ( p  < 0.001), more unstable housing ( p  = 0.02) and more childhood maltreatment ( p  = 0.014). Many had recently received primary healthcare (75%), but few had received income assistance (34%). Most (80.5%) reported experiencing four or more adversities. Conclusions We present data illustrating that a high proportion of pregnant Indigenous girls and young women engaged with public health and consented to long-term research participation—despite experiencing cumulative adversities. The trial socioeconomic screening criteria were successful in reaching this population. Girls and young women reported relatively similar experiences—beyond expected developmental differences in income and education—suggesting that adolescent maternal age may not necessarily infer risk. Our findings underscore the need for Indigenous community-led services that address avoidable adversities starting in early pregnancy.

Setting The Indigenous Tobacco Program (ITP) operated by the Indigenous Cancer Care Unit at Cancer Care Ontario provides customized tobacco prevention workshops to First Nations youth across Ontario, in partnership with First Nations communities and partner organizations. Intervention First Nations youth in Canada are more likely than non-Indigenous youth to be smokers. The ITP aims to address the negative health impacts of commercial tobacco, using culturally relevant approaches, tools and resources while remaining respectful to the significance of sacred tobacco. This paper aims to determine whether a culturally tailored tobacco prevention workshop increases tobacco-related knowledge among First Nations youth in Ontario. Outcomes The workshops exhibited promise in impacting First Nations youth knowledge on the harms of commercial tobacco, as after the workshop intervention, all indicators showed improved knowledge. Building strong and ongoing relationships with communities and partner organizations is vital to the success of the program. Implications Culturally tailored workshops grounded in traditional knowledge and values provide an opportunity to increase the knowledge of the harms of commercial tobacco among First Nations youth in Ontario. With commercial tobacco use and exposure having tremendous health consequences, such interventions are essential.

In Canada, store-bought food constitutes the majority of First Nations (FN) people’s diets; however, their traditional foods (TF; wild fish, game, fowl, and plants) remains vital for their health. This study compares health indicators and diet quality among 265 Syilx Okanagan adults according to whether or not they reported eating TF during a 24-h dietary recall. Three methods assessed diet quality: nutrient intakes and adequacy, Healthy Eating Index (HEI-C), and contributions of ultra-processed products (UPP) to %energy using the NOVA classification. Fifty-nine participants (22%) reported eating TF during the dietary recall; TF contributed to 13% of their energy intake. There were no significant differences in weight status or prevalence of chronic disease between TF eaters and non-eaters. TF eaters had significantly higher intakes of protein; omega-3 fatty acids; dietary fibre; copper; magnesium; manganese; phosphorus; potassium; zinc; niacin; riboflavin; and vitamins B6, B12, D, and E than non-eaters. TF eaters also had significantly better diet quality based on the HEI-C and the %energy from UPP. Findings support that TF are critical contributors to the diet quality of FN individuals. Strength-based FN-led interventions, such as Indigenous food sovereignty initiatives, should be promoted to improve access to TF and to foster TF consumption.

Currently there is a severe lack of research on autism and Indigenous people in Canada. This scoping review explores this literature gap and assesses the same literature from an Indigenous perspective. Scoping reviews are an effective means to explore the literature in a specific area, in this case, autism and Indigenous people in Canada. We explored existing literature as it pertains to Indigenous populations and autism in Canada. To support this review, the Indigenous Quality Assessment Tool (QAT) was adapted to appraise the quality of literature. In total, there were a total of 212 articles identified of which 24 met the inclusion criteria: (1) some focus on autism, (2) a component specific to Indigenous people, and (3) specific to Canada. Of the 24 articles and reports, 15 were peer-reviewed and the rest considered grey literature. Most articles focused on program delivery with some literature using primary data (quantitative and/or qualitative). Overall, the quality of the research was appraised as poor, as determined by the QAT. Findings reaffirm the critical need for research that addresses autism in Indigenous communities within Canada and show the importance of having research done in full partnership with, or led by, Indigenous people.

Objectives Methods for enumeration and population-based health assessment for First Nations, Inuit, and Metis (FNIM) living in Canadian cities are underdeveloped, with resultant gaps in essential demographic, health, and health service access information. Our Health Counts (OHC) was designed to engage FNIM peoples in urban centres in “by community, for community” population health assessment and response. Methods The OHC methodology was designed to advance Indigenous self-determination and FNIM data sovereignty in urban contexts through deliberate application of Indigenous principles and linked implementation strategies. Three interwoven principles ( good relationships are foundational ; research as gift exchange ; and research as a vehicle for Indigenous community resurgence ) provide the framework for linked implementation strategies which include actively building and maintaining relationships; meaningful Indigenous community guidance, leadership, and participation in all aspects of the project; transparent and equitable sharing of project resources and benefits; and technical innovations, including respondent-driven sampling, customized comprehensive health assessment surveys, and linkage to ICES data holdings to generate measures of health service use. Results OHC has succeeded across six urban areas in Ontario to advance Indigenous data sovereignty and health assessment capacity; recruit and engage large population-representative cohorts of FNIM living in urban and related homelands; customize comprehensive health surveys and data linkages; generate previously unavailable population-based FNIM demographic, health, and social information; and translate results into enhanced policy, programming, and practice. Conclusion The OHC methodology has been demonstrated as effective, culturally relevant, and scalable across diverse Ontario cities.

Objectives The social position of different minority groups in contemporary societies suggests different risk factors for postpartum depression (PPD). In this study, we used two cut-offs of the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) to examine prevalence and risk factors for PPD among mothers participating in the Canadian Maternity Experiences Survey (MES), and to compare Indigenous, Canadian-born non-Indigenous and immigrant mothers. Methods We used cross-sectional nationwide data from the 2006 MES (unweighted N  = 6237, weighted N  = 74,231) and conducted multivariate logistic regression models for EPDS ≥ 10 and EPDS ≥ 13 to explore risk factors for the total sample of mothers and in each study group. Results Prevalence (%, 95 % CI) of EPDS ≥ 10 and EPDS ≥ 13 was significantly higher among immigrant (12.2 %, 10.2–14.2 and 24.1 %, 21.5–26.7) and Indigenous (11.1 %, 7.5–14.7 and 21.2 %, 16.5–25.9) compared to Canadian-born non-Indigenous mothers (5.6 %, 4.9–6.3 and 12.9 %, 11.9–13.9). Multivariate analysis of the total sample showed similar risk factors for EPDS ≥ 10 and EPDS ≥ 13 (ethnicity, low education, ≥ low income cut-off, taking antidepressants, experiencing abuse, low social support). Stratification by study group revealed differing risk factors in each group for EPDS ≥ 10 and EPDS ≥ 13. Indigenous mothers had the most distinct risk factors, followed by immigrant mothers. Non-indigenous Canadian-born mothers had risk factors most similar to the total sample. Conclusion Differing prevalence and risk factors for PPD within and across study groups suggest that instead of a universal approach, tailored programs and services to prevent PPD in Indigenous, immigrant and non-Indigenous Canadian-born groups could better protect the mental health of Canadian mothers.

Indigenous peoples globally are pursuing diverse strategies to foster mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness by reclaiming and restoring their relationships to land. For Anishinaabe communities, the land is the source of local knowledge systems that sustain identities and foster mino-bimaadiziwin, that is, living in a good and healthy way. In July 2019, the community of Biigtigong Nishnaabeg in Ontario, Canada hosted a week-long land camp to reclaim Mountain Lake and reconnect Elders, youth and band staff to the land, history, and relationships of this place. Framed theoretically by environmental repossession, we explore the perceptions of 15 participating community members and examine local and intergenerational meanings of the camp for mental wellness. The findings show that the Mountain Lake camp strengthened social relationships, supported the sharing and practice of Anishinaabe knowledge, and fostered community pride in ways that reinforced the community’s Anishinaabe identity. By exploring the links between land reclamation, identity, and community empowerment, we suggest environmental repossession as a useful concept for understanding how land reconnection and self-determination can support Indigenous mental wellness.

Evolving from a conversation between Joshua Whitehead and Angie Abdou, Indigiqueerness is part dialogue, part collage, and part memoir. Beginning with memories of his childhood poetry and prose and travelling through the library of his life, Whitehead contemplates the role of theory, Indigenous language, queerness, and fantastical worlds in all his artistic pursuits. This volume is imbued with Whitehead’s energy and celebrates Indigenous writers and creators who defy expectations and transcend genres.