The formation of the Research Program began in 2016 at Laurentian University when Jennifer Walker was awarded a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Health (Tier II) to support her collaborative, community-driven research. Guided by community advisory groups and partners, Jennifer began leading a team of research support staff working on projects at a local, regional and national scale to respond to community health services research. In 2021, Jennifer moved to McMaster University and in 2022, she was awarded a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Health Data and Aging (Tier II). Her team continues to grow to respond to the needs of Indigenous community partners across Canada. 

The IHDA program focuses largely on Indigenous community-engaged, community-driven health research using large health services databases through Jennifer’s work as a Senior Core Scientist and Scientific Advisor to Indigenous Partnerships, Data and Analytics at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) in Ontario. Jennifer is also actively involved in community-engaged aging and dementia research. She is the co-lead of the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration and Aging’s (CCNA) Team 18 – Issues in Dementia Care for Indigenous Populations and the lead for the Indigenous Cognitive Health Program.  

The team’s focus is on dedication, reciprocity, equity, accountability, flexibility, respect, kindness, listening, trust and building relationships. These values were collaboratively set at a team retreat and reflect the core principles of the IHDA team at McMaster University. They are integral to the community-engaged, community-driven health research program, which uniquely addresses research priorities related to aging and dementia in Indigenous communities, as well as Indigenous data sovereignty. These values are essential for creating a positive and productive environment, both in personal and professional settings. They contribute to a cohesive and harmonious community or organization.