The SHaG lab has acquired a five-year team grant from CIHR to partner with four Indigenous community/health centres: Eskasoni Health Centre, Neqotkuk Health Centre (Tobique First Nation), St. Mary’s Health Centre (Sitansisk Wolastoqey), and the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre. The goal of this project is to continue our research partnerships with these communities to support and sustain holistic sexual health and wellness groups for Indigenous boys and men. Groups are run by Men’s Wellness Coordinators (MWCs) who will also be part of the research team on a Community Advisory Board, helping to guide the project through every phase.

Wellness groups will be run at least quarterly, following the quadrants of the medicine wheel to focus on all aspects of health (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual), and will be based in traditional teachings, cultural practices, and land-based activities. Elders will accompany the groups when possible, and researchers/MWCs will use storywork, talking circles, walkalong interviews, and arts-based methods as chosen by MWCs and participants to evaluate the program and better understand IBM’s sexual health and well-being.

For more information about the study and how to get involved, see our contact page.