Submission ID 132014
| Issue/Objective | Investing in Matriarchal Power, Access, Care and Traditional wellness (IMPACT) aims to centre Indigenous voices through community-led priority-setting gatherings to reimagine menopause care and advance equitable health systems. These gatherings create space for Indigenous women, Two-Spirit peoples, and Matriarchs to share lived experiences, identify gaps in care, and define research and service priorities. The objective is to shift decision-making power from institutions to communities by grounding health system design in Indigenous knowledge, relationality, and Matriarchal leadership. |
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| Methodology/Approach | Our study uses Indigenous community priority-setting gatherings grounded in sharing circles, relational dialogue, intergenerational learning, and cultural practices. Gatherings are co-developed with First Nations partners and include activities such as traditional tea blending workshops and facilitated discussions to create safe, decolonial spaces for knowledge sharing. Participants engage with guiding questions on menopause experiences, changes across body, mind, and spirit, and desired supports and services. Small group discussions and collective sharing circles support co-construction of knowledge and identification of priorities. |
| Results | Findings from the gatherings reveal menopause as a time of renewal, strength, and transition into Matriarchal roles, challenging dominant deficit-based narratives. Participants emphasized physical, emotional, and spiritual changes, alongside the need for gentleness and care. At the same time, women described experiencing dismissive, biomedical care, racism, and health systems "not built for us," highlighting gaps in provider knowledge and relational care. Strong themes emerged around the importance of traditional medicines, land-based wellness, and intergenerational knowledge sharing. Financial barriers to accessing alternative care and the absence of culturally safe services further reinforce inequities in menopause care. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | Community priority-setting gatherings demonstrate that equitable health systems must be grounded in Indigenous women's lived experiences, knowledge, and leadership. Menopause is a critical cultural and relational life stage connected to identity, community, and moving into Matriarchal and Elder roles. Current health systems fail to reflect these realities, contributing to inequitable care and unmet needs. By creating space for Indigenous women to define priorities and share knowledge, this work highlights the transformative potential of community-led approaches. In a fragmented global health context, these findings emphasize that restoring equity requires relational, culturally grounded, and community-driven system change. |
| Presenters and Affiliations | Brittany Bingham University of British Columbia Piper Scott-Fiddler University of British Columbia Lydia Feng University of British Columbia Lori Brotto University of British Columbia Chelsey Perry University of British Columbia Danielle Harkey University of British Columbia |
