The current scientific literature on gluten-related sensitivities in Indigenous populations is limited and uneven. Published studies most often report very low prevalence of formally diagnosed celiac disease (CeD) in Indigenous populations, even where genetic susceptibility is present. This gap raises methodological and interpretive questions rather than clinical conclusions.

Existing studies suggest that:

• Genetic markers associated with celiac disease are present in some Indigenous populations

• Diagnosis rates remain low or inconsistent across regions and health systems

• Environmental factors, including dietary change, are relevant to how conditions appears at the population level

• Research has focused more on detection than on care pathways, lived management, or health-system context

This project examines how celiac disease and gluten-related gastrointestinal conditions are understood, identified, and addressed within Indigenous contexts.

Rather than beginning with diagnosis, the work starts from how people describe bodily experiences, food practices, care pathways, and decision-making in everyday life. This project arises from the recognition that epidemiology alone does not describe how people seek care, make food choices, or navigate medical systems. Understanding these dimensions requires direct engagement with communities, families, and providers.