Hishuk-ish tsawalk (everything is one, everything is connected): Using two-eyed seeing to optimize healthy early life trajectories for Indigenous Peoples

February 2, 2026

About

This project aims to improve Indigenous children’s health and wellness by optimizing development from conception through infancy to adolescence. The project builds on the Nuu-Chah-Nulth First Nations’ strengths and promotes resilience using both Indigenous knowledge and Western scientific methods.

Principal Investigators

  • Lynnette Lucas, Director of Health, Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council
  • Lea Bill, Executive Director, Alberta First Nations Information Governance Centre (AFNIGC)

CHPC Investigators

  • Charlotte Waddell (Co-Principal Investigator)
  • Nicole L.A. Catherine (Co-Investigator)
  • Kim Thomson (Co-Investigator)

Research Team

Click/tap to see the full list of team members
  • Nominated Principal Investigators: Lucas, L., (Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council), Bill, L.
  • Co-Principal Investigators: British Columbia: P. Nepomnaschy, J. Reading, S. Venners, C. Waddell, J. Watts | Alberta: R. Bell, S. Montesanti, R. Oster
  • Co-Investigators: Arbour, G. Asaad, N. Berry, M. Brockway, T. Bubela, N. Catherine, A. Conklin, A. Devlin, R. Dickens, B. Graham, A. Kent, A. Konczi, B. Lanphear, R. Littlechild, M. Mayan, L. McCandless, S. McDonald, A. McIntyre, L. McKerracher, D. McNeil, G. Metz, A. Neil, B. Nosyk, C.Nykiforuk, M. Paulden, J. O’Neil, I. Ouellet-Morin, W. Robinson, S. Ross, D. Samson, K. Stelkia, T. Takaro, S. Titone, G. Tom, E. Toth, M. Tremblay, S. Valaire, B. Verstraeten, I. Weaver, A. Weibe, C. Wieman, A. Yazid
  • Mentees: E. Mohns

Funders

  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Funding

  • $14.1M (over seven years)

Project Partners

  • The Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council (NTC)
  • First Nations Health Authority

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