Skip to main content
Skip to McMaster Navigation Skip to Site Navigation Skip to main content
McMaster logo
The Feast Centre for Indigenous STBBI Research

Faculty of Social Sciences

The Feast Centre for Indigenous STBBI Research, centre du festin traditionnel de recherche autochtone sure les ITSS

Our Mission The mission of the Feast Centre is to establish, implement, and sustain strategic research programs and initiatives, through a national network with strong academic and community partnerships. A strengths-based approach—emphasizing multi-generational Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) knowledge will be engaged to balance research around three priority areas of reducing vulnerability, improving quality of life, and increasing determinants of health for those living with or affected by STBBI. In support of this mission, the Feast Centre will actively and meaningfully engage stakeholders and partners across all Centre activities.

Our Vision Our vision is to create a vibrant network of Indigenous STBBI researchers who privilege Indigenous being and knowing and are committed to improving the lives of Indigenous peoples living with or affected by STBBI. develop culturally relevant and scientifically rigorous research, training and knowledge translation that has an impact on the lives of Indigenous people living with or affected by STBBI.

Our Objectives

  • Engage, facilitate and support the use of Indigenous knowledge systems in STBBI research.
  • Further stimulate and coordinate multi-stakeholder collaboration in Indigenous STBBI research across the key pillars of health research (clinical, basic science, epidemiology, social science);
  • Contribute to the development of a highly skilled, multidisciplinary community of investigators, research trainees, and Indigenous community stakeholders; and
  • Foster the development of Indigenous knowledge translation products and processes that accelerate the uptake and implementation of evidence to policies, programs and practices.

 

Why Feast?

Everyone comes together over the Feast!

All nations and all people celebrate by feasting. We gather together, in small or large groups, over simple or elaborate meals, to mark significant events, to celebrate, to socialize, to nourish our bodies, minds, spirits, and communities. Feasting together is a sign of friendship, respect, mutual responsibility and accountability, and relationship-building.

Traditional feasts in Indigenous contexts are typically inclusive events—underpinned as an expression of gratitude and of learning to live a good life where everyone’s skills, gifts, and contributions are welcomed so that others might learn. Equally important, feasts often have a spiritual component and they often invoke, honour and include our ancestors.

Background

The Feast Centre for Indigenous STBBI Research is a five-year, cross-Canada initiative that aims to support the development of community and academic scholars and scholarship grounded in Indigenous knowledges, decolonizing approaches, and community-based research to holistically support STBBI research with Indigenous communities. This project joins key stakeholders (community, research and policy) to advance Indigenous research, programs and services in several key strategic areas related to STBBI research, prevention and care.

In order to do so, the Feast Centre is offering training opportunities for Indigenous and allied STTBI scholars across a range of disciplines and levels of expertise. We have created scholarships and grants to support early, mid, late, and community scholars who are committed to centring Indigenous knowledge and methods in order to create Indigenous solutions to Indigenous community-identified needs. In addition to grants and scholarships, we offer research training opportunities, guidance in knowledge translation and exchange, and opportunities to attend Feast-led writing retreats and academic/community conferences.

Collaborative Conversations Series with the McMaster University Collaborative for Health and Aging

The McMaster Collaborative for Health and Aging presents the Collaborative Conversations Series, bringing together researchers and people with lived experiences to share their journeys and lessons learned in patient-oriented research. Following these conversations, attendees are invited to join Reflecting Together, an opportunity for trainees, older adults and community members to come together and share their thoughts on the topics discussed. These facilitated discussions are an opportunity for attendees to continue the conversation and take our combined learnings into action. 

 

Visit their Website!