NationTalk: Wendake, December 14th, 2022 – The Regroupement des centres d’amitié autochtones du Québec (RCAAQ) is pleased to announce the launch of the Observatory of Urban Indigenous Realities, which will produce and share scientific knowledge on themes related to urban Indigenousness. The research will raise awareness about these realities and provide policy-makers with concrete, systemic solutions for furthering major social progress.
Although the urban Indigenous population is continuously growing, there is still limited data available to document this population’s defining elements. The Observatory will bridge this gap. By providing a space within the RCAAQ, it will allow researchers and collaborating partners to monitor the science and to share knowledge and community-based research data to create a realistic overview of urban Indigenous communities. It will also highlight the central role Indigenous people play in Indigenous research and in respecting cultural and traditional approaches. The RCAAQ is one of the research organizations and institutions supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).
Part of the work at the Observatory will also be to evaluate and document the innovative practices and expertise within the Native Friendship Centre Movement, which draws on over 50 years of activity in Quebec.
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“By creating this Observatory, we are aiming to provide a greater awareness and understanding of urban Indigenous realities, but more importantly, we want to become more independent and empowered in our research and knowledge mobilization efforts.”
—Tanya Sirois, Executive Director
About the Regroupement des centres d’amitié autochtones du Québec (RCAAQ)
The RCAAQ is a network of 10 Friendship Centres and 2 service points that offer Indigenous people culturally relevant and safe services that contribute to the harmony and reconciliation between peoples in Quebec cities. The Native Friendship Centres are the largest urban service infrastructure for Indigenous people, offering a range of integrated services in a variety of sectors, including wellness, health, social services, social inclusion, education, employability, early childhood, youth, and much more. The Société immobilière du Regroupement des centres d’amitié autochtones du Québec (SIRCAAQ) was founded in 2019 to collectively develop and apply innovative and sustainable real estate infrastructure solutions that contribute to the wellness of Indigenous people.
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Myrian Marotte
Regroupement des centres d’amitié autochtones du Québec
myrian.marotte@rcaaq.info
514-913-4478