About Hotıì ts’eeda

Connecting researchers with communities, Indigenous organizations, and NWT health research priorities

Hotıì ts'eeda is a research support centre for community members, organizations, and researchers involved in NWT health and health research. Hotıì ts'eeda connects researchers with communities and Indigenous organizations, to support recognition of NWT health research priorities, and develop a health system that is culturally competent and inclusive of Indigenous methodologies and ways of knowing. 

“Hotıì t’seeda” is a Tłı̨chǫ language phrase. It refers to peace and well-being in mind, body and spirit, and about moving beyond diplomacy to true collaboration so that when we part ways we leave each other in a state of grace. Click here for a short audio clip on how to pronounce Hotıì ts'eeda. 

VISION

Hotıì ts'eeda's vision is a health system where Indigenous governments, public governments, Indigenous communities and Northwest Territories residents benefit from health research that prioritizes the needs of communities, families and individuals, and that is grounded in an understanding the land, language, culture and way of life form the foundation of Indigenous wellbeing. 

MISSION

Hotıì ts'eeda's mission is to support health research and training that is rooted in NWT Indigenous knowledge and culture and works to build NWT capacity, contributing to improved health policy and outcomes. Hotıì ts'eeda's work is guided by the principles of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

VALUES

  • Connection with land, language and cultures
  • Indigenous ways of knowing
  • Respect, recognition, and reciprocity
  • Giving back to communities and partners
  • Responsiveness and adaptability
  • Cultural competency
  • Continuous quality improvement and learning
  • Wellness and work/life balance

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

  • Engage communities, families and individuals across the NWT.
  • Promote research and knowledge translation (KT) that contributes to improved health outcomes in the NWT.
  • Build capacity for culturally competent health research programs.
  • Improve access to and responsible use of health data for researchers and communities. 
  • Enhance our impact through meaningful collaboration with territorial stakeholders and other SPOR entities. 

To learn more, see Hotıì ts'eeda's 2021 strategic planning document: Nadaà Woghàà Eghàlats'ìidèe Nı̨htł'è ("Looking Forward" in the Tłı̨chǫ language).

STRUCTURE

Hotıì ts'eeda is funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) as a SPOR (Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research) Support Unit. It is embedded within the Tłı̨chǫ Government. As an organization it is guided by an independent governing council that includes a majority of Indigenous government members from across the NWT and a Tłı̨chǫ Government senior advisor. Hotıì ts'eeda personnel are embedded within four NWT Indigenous governments: Tłı̨chǫ Government; Inuvialuit Regional Corporation; Délı̨nę Got'ı̨nę Government; and, Gwich’in Tribal Council. Staff work under the direction of a scientific director. 

Hotıì ts'eeda Governing Council 

Hotıì ts'eeda Staff Directory

 

STRATEGY FOR PATIENT-ORIENTED RESEARCH

The Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) is a coalition of federal, provincial and territorial partners led by CIHR. Support units are located in most Canadian provinces and territories. Hotıì ts'eeda has a unique focus on Indigenous health and research, and regards patient partners as Indigenous communities and community members. SPOR Support Units work toward research-based improvements to the health care system in response to local needs identified by community members as key partners, by:

  • engaging patients (NWT community members) as partners in research;
  • ensuring that health research is relevant to patient (NWT community member) and policy-maker priorities; and,
  • ensuring research results are used to improve health care systems and practices.