Métis Centre of NAHO Announces Winners in Fact Sheet Writing Contest

Ottawa (May 15, 2012) – The Métis Centre of The National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) is pleased to announce the five winners of the 2012 Métis Centre Fact Sheet Writing Contest.

• Karyne Belanger, Ottawa, ON (Traditional Art and Craftwork among Métis Adults: Findings from the Aboriginal Peoples Survey, 2006).
• Lynn Barwin, La Pêche, QC (Traditional Medicine Use and Availability among Métis Adults: Findings from the 2006 Aboriginal Peoples Survey).
• Irene Gonneau, Lake Country, BC (Depression among Métis adults: Findings from the 2006 Aboriginal People’s Survey).
• Daniel McKennitt, Edmonton, AB (Self-Rated Health of Métis Adults: Findings from the 2006 Aboriginal Peoples Survey).
• Devonn Robinson, Ottawa, ON (Access to a Regular Medical Doctor or Family Doctor among Métis Adults: Findings from the 2006 Aboriginal Peoples Survey).Each of winners received a $1000 award. Contestants used the Métis Centre statistical database (www.metiscentreresearch.ca) to develop the fact sheets. Developed in collaboration with Statistics Canada, the database is the most comprehensive national database on Métis statistics in the country. It houses over 5000 sets of statistical tables and graphs (over 5000 tables and 10,000 graphs). Additionally, it has maps, e-learning tutorials and other supporting documents.

The contest was intended to (1) develop statistical capacity, (2) generate awareness of Métis health and well-being, and (3) partly address the paucity of Métis health and wellbeing research and literature. The paucity of Métis-related health research has been highlighted yet again by research conducted by Métis Centre researchers, which was published in the January/February, 2012 issue of the Canadian Journal of Public Health (Trends in Métis-related health research (1980-2009): Identification of research gaps).

Congratulations to the five winners!

For the past twelve years, the Métis Centre of NAHO has dedicated itself to improving the mental, physical, spiritual, emotional and social health of in Métis in Canada through public education, health promotion, research, and knowledge translation activities.

For more information about the Métis Centre or the National Aboriginal Health Organization, please visit www.naho.ca/metis.

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For media inquiries, contact:

Catherine Graham
Director, Métis Centre
Phone: 613-513-5606
Email: [email protected]