Transforming Indigenous health research through trust

The Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI) is powered by nearly 300 staff members. Among them is Julia Rowat, a research coordinator with the Indigenous Health Data and Aging (IHDA) research program, led by Jennifer Walker, HEI associate professor and Tier II Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Health Data and Aging. 

The IHDA is a community-engaged, community-driven health research program. They’re dedicated to working with community partners to transform the capacity of Indigenous communities and health services organizations in Ontario and across Canada to address complex health challenges through culturally grounded evidence. The team works to uniquely address two key research priorities: aging and dementia in Indigenous communities, and Indigenous data sovereignty. 

Rowat met Walker in 2017 while pursuing her Master’s in Indigenous Relations at Laurentian University, where Walker was previously an assistant professor. Reflecting on her relationship with Walker, Rowat shares, “I was immediately drawn to her approach to research and how she grounded her work in Indigenous community priorities. I reached out to her with an interest in supporting her research, and we’ve been working together ever since.” 

Rowat was recently presented with the Brian Haynes Research Staff Award for her exceptional performance and significant contributions within HEI and the IHDA. 

This award was established by the department to honor Brian Haynes’ leadership in clinical epidemiology and evidence-based medicine, who served as HEI’s fifth chair from 1998 to 2008 and is now a professor emeritus.  

Rowat, this year’s recipient, has been a valued member of the IHDA team since 2018.  Throughout her tenure, she has supported the team through major transitions.  

“She has demonstrated great adaptability, leadership, and coordination, always ensuring that co-investigators and community partners are meaningfully included and that the IHDA team is well-supported,” says Walker. “She consistently considers how to conduct ethical and meaningful work, building positive and trusting relationships with community partners.” 

As part of a partnership with Maamwesying North Shore Community Health Services, the Anishinabek Nation, and Za-geh-do-win Information Clearinghouse, Rowat supported the development of training materials for the Canadian Indigenous Cognitive Assessment tool and led multiple training sessions with community partners. The tool addresses the need for culturally informed methods to assess dementia and cognitive health in Indigenous communities. By providing more accurate data on aging and dementia, the tool promotes health equity and supports Indigenous data sovereignty by empowering communities to take ownership of their health data and make informed decisions. 

Rowat emphasizes the importance of building trusting relationships with community partners. “Our work is driven by the needs of the communities we collaborate with. I feel incredibly fortunate to learn from and work alongside them,” she says. “The relationships we build are key to ensuring that the research we conduct is ethical, meaningful, and directly contributes to health equity.” 

Receiving the Brian Haynes Research Staff Award has been a humbling experience for Rowat, who attributes much of her success to the strong and valued relationship with both her team and community partners. “I’m honored to receive this award, but it truly reflects the collective goals and efforts of the incredible team I’m privileged to work with. I’m just happy to play a small role in supporting this important work.” 

Rowat’s commitment to advancing Indigenous health research, combined with her ability to foster trust and collaboration, continues to drive the IHDA’s success in addressing the unique health challenges faced by Indigenous communities across Canada. 

To learn more about Walker’s research program, visit the IHDA website.