Reclaiming Our Spirits

Time: 8-9am PST

This presentation offers a preview of a documentary and reports the findings of a study of a health promotion intervention to support women who have experienced violence. Building on an intervention showing promise in feasibility studies, we adapted the intervention for Indigenous women living in urban contexts. Nurses and Indigenous Elders supported the women to address their priorities. The challenges nurses encountered have implications for nursing curriculum and the overall system of care.

Dr. Colleen Varcoe is a professor in the School of Nursing at the University of British Columbia. Her research focuses on violence and inequity, with an emphasis on both structural and interpersonal violence. Her completed research includes studies of the risks and health effects of violence, including for rural and Aboriginal women. Her current research includes studies to promote equity (including cultural safety, harm reduction, and trauma- and violence-informed care) in primary health care and Emergency and studies of health interventions for women who have experienced violence.

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