Café Scientifique: A Unique Exploration of Indigenous Health and the Gut Microbiota

We’re excited to invite you to a free special event hosted by Indigenous leaders and researchers from the University of British Columbia. Join us for an evening at Café Scientifique at Musqueam Cultural Centre on February 29th, 2024, where we delve into the critical topic of the gut microbiota and its impact on Indigenous health.

Event Highlights:

• Film Screening: “Let Them Eat Dirt“, a thought-provoking film that explores how food and environmental factors shape our gut microbiota.
• Expert Panel Discussion: Engage in conversations with Indigenous leaders and health experts. We will explore the effects of colonization on traditional diets and lifestyles, and their link to modern health challenges in Indigenous communities, including diabetes, obesity, and inflammatory diseases.
• Interactive Dialogue: Learn how Indigenous knowledge and practices around food and health are key to improving gut health and overall well-being. Our discussion will also cover the challenges in reviving traditional food practices and addressing healthcare barriers in contemporary Indigenous communities.

Schedule:

• 7:00 PM: Welcome and Land Acknowledgment
• 7:05 PM: Film Screening – “Let Them Eat Dirt”
• 8:15 PM: Refreshments provided by Salishan Catering and Panel Discussion
• 9:30 PM: Event Conclusion

Meet Our Panelists:

• Derek K Thompson – Thlaapkiituup, Director, Indigenous Engagement, Faculty of Medicine, UBC
• Cynthia Jamieson – Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor
• Jared Qwustenuxun Williams – Indigenous Foods Educator and Consultant, Award-Winning Writer
• Ninan Abraham – Professor, Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology and Zoology, UBC
• Brett Finlay – CIFAR Senior Fellow and Co-Director, Michael Smith Laboratories, UBC

Moderated by Carolina Tropini, Assistant Professor, School of Biomedical Engineering and Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology, UBC.

Your presence and participation will greatly enrich our discussions.Please RSVP by February 28. For any inquiries or special accommodations, feel free to contact us at sarah.coffin@ubc.ca

Register now.