Congratulations to our 2021 Graduate Student Mentorship Stipend Winners!

PhD Candidate

I am originally from Waywayseecappo First Nation (Treaty 4 territory). I am of Métis and Saulteaux descent (Anishinaabe). My research focus is exploring the experiences of faculty members who are implementing Indigenized content into their curriculum. I hope to gain a better understanding of my participants' successes and struggles in order to create a roadmap forward that educators may use to advance Indigenized content in the classroom.

My end goal is full implementation of the “Truth and Reconciliation of Canada Call to Action”, specifically having educational institutions “maintain an annual commitment to Aboriginal education issues”. This involves sharing information and best practices on teaching curriculum related to residential schools and Aboriginal history. It also involves building students’ capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect.

Kate Dunn is Anishinaabe of Mississauga First Nation Ontario. Bringing a background in nursing, and master’s in public health she is pursuing a doctorate in social sciences at Royal Roads University focusing on Indigenous Health and currently lives in Calgary. Kate is the recipient of the Doctor of Social Science Support Initiative and a Mitacs Research Training Award facilitating formative research gathering perspectives shaping future dissertation work on respectful wisdom seeking with Indigenous Knowledge Holders. Her doctoral research focuses on Indigenous perspectives of health and wellness in facilitating a respectful and culturally relevant approach to Hepatitis C care and cure.

Ashley Ens is Gwich'in from Inuvik, NT and has called Yellowknife her home for 15 years. Her educational and professional background is in Management, Human Resources and Diversity and Inclusion. She currently resides in Lethbridge with her partner and two children. She has a degree in Management and has completed her first year of graduate studies in Management in Lethbridge, Alberta. Ashley is researching areas of decolonizing education, Indigenizing the academy, and creating culturally safe places to learn. Throughout her research she has used an Indigenous paradigm to look at the historical factors of colonialism, Indigenous resistance, Indigenous scholarship and trends in the academy that have shaped our current system. 

My name is Morning Star (Nicole Eshkakogan). I am Anishnawbe/Blackfoot from Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation and Piikani Nation. I am a Ph.D. Candidate in Sociology at the University of Alberta. My dissertation study focuses on exploring the experiences of Indigenous Grandmothers and Aunties providing care for children of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Katherine is a proud member of the Manitoba Metis Federation. She earned her B.Sc (Hons). in biology at Mount Allison University and is now completing her M.Sc in Public Health Policy at the University of Alberta. Her research focuses on understanding health policy and program changes that have occurred in Canada’s North in response to COVID-19. With a concentration in the Tłı̨chǫ region, Katherine is working to understand community perspectives of COVID-19 and the impacts changes to health services have had on community members.

Outside of her studies, Katherine works as teaching fellow for the Peter Lougheed Leadership College and as a writing mentor for First Peoples House at the University of Alberta. In these roles, Katherine works to encourage undergraduate students to achieve their academic goals and improve their writing skills. Katherine is also on the Circumpolar Students Association, a student-led association dedicated to discussing logistical problems, funding opportunities, and exchanging experiences relating to research in the north. Katherine hopes that her research will increase emergency preparedness within northern, and Indigenous communities.

Tan’si! Kihcihtwaw Asinewiskwew Nitisiyihkason. Nevada Ouellette-Young Pine Mônîyâw Wihowin. I am mixed background Nehiyaw-Otipemisiwak (Cree-Métis) and honour all my Indigenous and European relations. I am a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. My husband Piita Aapasskaann (Kyle) and son Naato’hkotok (Pheonix) are members of the Kainai Nation and it’s within this community that we spend most of our time. I am a PhD student in the Counselling Psychology program at the University of Calgary and my work focuses on decolonizing efforts within my field of Counselling Psychology, education and research.

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 in Health Sciences at the University of Lethbridge. She received her undergrad degree in Health Sciences majoring in Public Health, with a minor in Aboriginal Health, from the University of Lethbridge. She is a recipient of an inaugural fellowship from the Sovereign Bodies Institute, which is an affiliate of the Seventh Generation Fund in the United States. Research topics include: Indigenous Women’s Health, 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 current research includes “Exploring how the current opioid crisis in Southern Alberta is impacting Indigenous Women and their health in relation to their family members substance use: A qualitative approach utilizing Indigenous research methods that are grounded in Siksikaitsitapi Ways of Knowing and Being”.

Supervisor: Dr. Janice Victor, University of Lethbridge

Rochelle Starr is from Little Pine First Nation, which is located in Treaty 6 territory in Saskatchewan and is of Cree and German descent. She presently lives in Edmonton, AB, Treaty 6 territory with her three children who are from Thunderchild First Nation, SK.  Rochelle is a Ph.D. candidate in the specialization of Indigenous Peoples Education, Department of Educational Policy Studies, Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta.  She also holds a Masters of Education, and Bachelor of Arts, specializing in First Nation Studies and Political Science.  Rochelle's work focuses on Indigenous knowledge, Indigenous understandings of Crises (colonialism, oppression, racism, and Indigenous & non-Indigenous relationships), Indigenous research methodologies, Indigenous pedagogy, Cree language,  leadership and young Indigenous women.  Rochelle is committed to inspiring and creating ways of being that are deeply rooted in the power of our ancestors and that are therefore life-giving and bring about love, strength, and freedom.

Iskotoah’ka William (Billy) Wadsworth is from the Blood Tribe, Kainai Nation of the Blackfoot Confederacy. He is a member of the Motois’pitaiks “All Tall Peoples” Clan and a member of the Kaanaa’tsimiitaiks “Brave Dog” society. His research background is sovereign approaches to education, health, and governance rooted in Blackfoot philosophy. He is a traditional singer and song composer. Married 24 years and has 1 daughter and 1 grandson all of whom are part of the Brave Dog Society of the Kainai people. Billy has worked for the Blood Tribe in many capacities with respect to research and governance and served one position as an elected minor Chief for the Kainai nation.