Presenter(s): Kim van der Woerd, Reciprocal Consulting, kvanderwoerd@gmail.com Donna Atkinson, University of Northern British Columbia, datkinson@unbc.ca
Abstract: The health status of First Nations, Métis and urban Aboriginal peoples in British Columbia (BC) is widely recognized as unacceptable and unsustainable compared to BC’s non-Aboriginal population. Aboriginal ActNow is an endeavour to improve the personal and community health through a multi-year, partnership-based, community-oriented health promotion initiative. Aboriginal ActNow brought together three organizations (First Nations Health Society, Métis Nation BC, and BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres) to support healthy living projects in communities across BC. This presentation reviews a comprehensive process and outcome evaluation of Aboriginal ActNow’s program. Preliminary findings suggest that relationship building is one of the most important factors in the success of Aboriginal-specific health promotion initiatives. Other lessons learned in the development and implementation of the program include the importance of working within a community context, and using wholistic, community-oriented, strength-based approaches that address underlying social determinants of First Nations, Métis and urban Aboriginal health.