Amplifying Urban Indigenous Voices in Health Research in British Columbia: Pathways for Culturally Safe Engagement

Urban Indigenous people in British Columbia, representing 78% of the province’s Indigenous population, are largely underserved by health research, which often lacks meaningful engagement, limits their agency, and inadequately represents their diverse Nations, cultures, and lived experiences. This five-year program aims to address these gaps by co-developing scalable, culturally responsive health research governance models that center urban Indigenous perspectives. Guided by Indigenous and Community-Based Participatory Research methodologies rooted in relational accountability, respect, and reciprocity, the program will engage urban Indigenous health leaders, community members, and health researchers through surveys, interviews, sharing circles, and workshops to co-create community-informed pathways for health research engagement. These models will inform future research policies and practices, enhancing the relevance of health research for urban Indigenous populations. Ultimately, this will advance the field by embedding Indigenous perspectives into health research, ensuring that health studies better reflect and serve urban Indigenous communities across BC.