AMPLIFY Project 

AMPLIFY was a community-based participatory action research study based on a 1-year CIHR rapid response grant (2023-2024) that drew upon quantitative, qualitative, Indigenous and art-based methods. The project name “AMPLIFY” represents our overarching goal to use research as a tool to amplify and uplift Indigenous women, Two-Spirit and gender diverse voices that are not often heard in this type of work.

AMPLIFY aimed to privilege Indigenous community-based voices to directly inform culturally safe and equitable sexual, reproductive health and justice for Indigenous women (cis and trans), Two-Spirit and gender diverse peoples throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The project incorporated data from two longstanding open community-based cohorts: An Evaluation of Sex Workers Health Access (AESHA) and Sexual Health & HIV/AIDS: Longitudinal Women’s Needs Assessment (SHAWNA). The quantitative and qualitative aspects of the project focused on amplifying the lived experiences and perspectives of Indigenous women (cis and trans), Two-Spirit and gender diverse peoples access to sexual and reproductive health services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The Indigenous and art-based components aimed to amplify Indigenous community voices through traditional arts-based activities and talking circle dialogue.

The team’s goal was to create a safe space for sharing traditional knowledge and lived experiences. The process and by-product of material and spiritual creation not only has the potential to heal and empower, but also catalyze discussion, recommendations, and address culturally safe and equitable interventions. AMPLIFY’s research objectives are driven by calls to action and justice from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, BC Commissioned review of racism in health care: In Plain Sight, and Inquiry into the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls reports.