By combining the strengths of both Indigenous and Western scientific ways of knowing, a research project using the two-eyed seeing approach aims to help improve Indigenous children’s health and development.

Researchers and students in the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) have teamed up with the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council (NTC) (Vancouver Island) and the First Nations Health Authority to lead the new project. It is part of a global initiative to reduce the onset of chronic disease in adults and children, and to foster health and wellness. Called Hishuk-ish tsawalk (everything is one, everything is connected): Using two-eyed seeing to optimize healthy early life trajectories for Indigenous Peoples, the project will evaluate early child health and parenting programs. Optimizing children’s early environment can help reduce the risk of chronic illness, anxiety, depression, substance use and suicide, as well as cardio-metabolic diseases, such as heart disease.

The project is led by NTC Director of Health Lynnette Lucas and SFU FHS adjunct professor, and NTC Manager of Nursing Services, Jeannette Watts.