Project 463554

CAAN Communities, Alliances & Networks has led or partnered on more than 50 community-based HIV/AIDS Research projects from 2002 to 2021. This proposal seeks to identify and develop effective Indigenous knowledge translation and mobilization (IKTM) strategies to enact research findings that are meaningful to communities, inform policy and health program action in ways that lead to healing and reconciliation. Drawing on Indigenous ways of knowing and doing and a commitment to community-engagement. Emphasizing lived experience, we know that it is important to share the knowledge we've developed so that Indigenous Peoples might thrive. In sharing what we know, we understand this is a sacred pursuit, follows cultural protocols, occurs in ceremony, is community engaged, and supports self-determination. To answer our research questions we plan to critically review how we are currently using Indigenous knowledges to mobilize what we know and to use this knowledge to develop new and innovative ways of meaningfully sharing research knowledge. We will assess whether we have reached intended audiences, whether the information we provide contributes to positive social change, outcomes or services using our original grant data. Our network of brilliant colleagues in academic and community settings and community leaders living with HIV, HCV, STBBI and issues related to mental health and aging need greater access to CAAN's research. On of our successes is our response to the lack of Indigenous HIV CBR literature - the open access Journal of Indigenous HIV Research. In addition, CAAN hosts workshops as part of our Annual Meeting, and hosts bi-annual Wise Practices-an Indigenous CBR gathering. Our team's productivity is exceptional, but the missing link to fully mobilize our research is greater emphasis to localize our Indigenous knowledge translation strategies leading to positive and meaningful community impacts.