{"id":2370,"date":"2025-08-04T16:44:44","date_gmt":"2025-08-04T14:44:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rcaaq.ca\/?page_id=2370"},"modified":"2026-01-21T17:07:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T16:07:09","slug":"research-areas-of-focus","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.rcaaq.ca\/en\/observatory\/research-areas-of-focus\/","title":{"rendered":"Research areas of focus"},"content":{"rendered":"\t
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Understanding, together<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
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The Observatory\u00a0blends<\/strong> scientific knowledge<\/strong>\u00a0with Indigenous world views <\/strong>to better understand the lived experience of First Nations members and Inuit in urban environments. Through research, storytelling, portraits and other kinds of testimonials, the Observatory provides a better grasp of today\u2019s Indigenous realities and insight into the impact of the Quebec Native Friendship Centre Movement\u2019s work.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"A\u00een\u00e9\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
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Its work gravitates around\u00a0four\u00a0main research areas of focus<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
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Culture and identity<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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The Observatory\u2019s core themes of Indigenous culture and identity are still poorly documented by external sources, particularly when we take into account the diversity of life trajectories and local contexts in urban areas.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Health and wellness<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Beyond its crucial role in improving living conditions, health is, for First Nations members and Inuit, a holistic notion with physical, mental, spiritual and emotional aspects at both the individual and community levels. In urban environments, these dimensions are often strained by social exclusion, precarious living conditions and disconnection from traditional environments.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Governance<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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The Native Friendship Centre Movement is a unique space for expression, leadership and self-determination for Indigenous people in urban areas. Rooted in community realities, our model of Indigenous governance draws on freedom of action so that we can develop innovative responses that are tailored to the needs and traditions of First Nations members and Inuit.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Housing, having a place to call home<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Housing is a fundamental determinant of living conditions and health. For urban Indigenous people, housing is much more than a roof over their heads: it\u2019s a place to be safe and to live with dignity and cultural continuity. Yet, access to adequate housing continues to be a major issue, which is characterized by persistent inequalities and a worrying rise in both visible and hidden homelessness.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t

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Changing perspectives<\/h3>\n

Recognition of Indigenous knowledge is key to research<\/strong> that is more inclusive<\/strong> and representative<\/strong> of First Peoples\u2019 realities.<\/p>\n

The Regroupement des centres d\u2019amiti\u00e9 autochtones du\u00a0Qu\u00e9bec (RCAAQ) is now recognized as a research organization by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research<\/a> (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council<\/a> (SSHRC).<\/p>\n

This recognition underscores the importance of First Nations\u2019 knowledge and confirms that Indigenous Peoples\u2019 approaches have their rightful place in research.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

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