SIFC, universities, join to develop health centre

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The Saskatchewan Indian Federated College (SIFC) is partnering with the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina to develop a centre to do research related to Indigenous health issues, as well as to increase health-related research and training opportunities for Aboriginal people.

The Indigenous Peoples' Health Research Centre (IPHRC) in Saskatchewan is one of four across the country to be funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), through the Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health.

The funds - a $3 million grant spread over six years - will be used to develop the centre, which will operate out of both university campuses. The centre will work to support and encourage community-generated Indigenous research relating to chronic diseases, nutrition and lifestyle, Indigenous healing, health delivery and control, and prevention and environmental health.

"The SIFC is honored to lead in the development of a provincial research centre dedicated to research on Indigenous health," SIFC president Dr. Eber Hampton said at the news conference held to announce plans for the health centre. "The SIFC's mission is to enhance the quality of life of Indian people by expanding the base of knowledge in the best interests of Indian people and of society. We are committed to working with all of our partners to improve Indigenous People's health in Saskatchewan."