Feds fund mentorship network to support indigenous health researchers
OTTAWA — The federal government intends to spend $8 million over five years to establish a mentorship network for First Nations, Metis and Inuit health researchers.
The funding follows a recommendation by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that all levels of government increase the number of indigenous people working in health care.
Federal Health Minister Jane Philpott, who made the announcement Wednesday in Thunder Bay, Ont., said the funding will support the next generation of indigenous health researchers and provide unique learning opportunities.
Support from the federally funded Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR) will create eight teams of mentors in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces as well as a national co-ordinating centre, Philpott said.