Melissa Shouting is a member of the Blackfoot Confederacy from Kainai (Blood) Nation and is of Blackfoot, Plains Cree and Gros Ventre descent. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science specializing in Health Research at the University of Lethbridge, where she also received an undergraduate degree from the faculty of Health Sciences specializing in Public Health and Aboriginal Health. Her research areas include: Indigenous Homelessness, Gender and Sexual Violence against Indigenous populations, Indigenous Harm Reduction Approaches, and Incorporating Museums and Objects as a means of Health Promotion for Indigenous Peoples. Her thesis is titled, “Understanding the pathways that have contributed to Blackfoot Women experiencing homelessness and illicit drug use simultaneously: A Qualitative Study Grounded in Siksikaitsitapi Ways of Knowing”.

Supervisor: Dr. Janice Victor, University of Lethbridge