Indigenous Health Researchers Database

Indigenous Health Researchers Database is a comprehensive listing of researchers who are affiliated with a Canadian university and have a wide range of expertise related to the health of Indigenous peoples. These researchers have undertaken some form of research related to the health and well-being of First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis peoples, ranging from one study to a lifetime of work in a particular area.

The names of researchers along with their contact information, university affiliation, focus of Indigenous health research, and a selection of their publications are listed by theme and location. To view the details of a researcher please click on the name shown in the list to expand the information.

Compiled by the National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health (NCCIH), this listing is based on publicly available information on university websites in Canada.

Click on the author's name to reveal a list of publications.

To request edits to an author's entry, or to request to be added to the database, please complete the online form.

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Urban Indigenous

Caroline Desbiens

Professor & Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Heritage and Tourism, Department of Geography

Laval University

Elizabeth Fast

Associate Professor, Applied Human Sciences, School of Community & Public Affairs

Concordia University

Leah Ferguson

Associate Professor, College of Kinesiology

University of Saskatechwan

Selected Publications

Ferguson, L. J., Deschenes, C., & Bens, S. (2021). Designing an Indigenous wellness university course: A reflective case narrative. Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 12, Article 8. https://doi.org/10.5206/cjsotl-rcacea.2021.1.8449

Ferguson, L. J., Girolami, T., Thorstad, R., Rodgers, C. D., & Humbert, M. L. (2021). "That's what the program is all about . . . building relationships": Exploring experiences in an urban offering of the Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program in Canada. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, 733. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18020733

Ferguson, L., Epp, G. B., Wuttunee, K., Dunn, M., McHugh, T.-L., & Humbert, M. L. (2019). "It's more than just performing well in your sport. It's also about being healthy physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually": Indigenous women athletes' meanings and experiences of flourishing in sport. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 11, 1-19. doi:10.1080/2159676X.2018.1458332

Ferguson, L.J., Carlson, K.T., Rogers, D., Team Saskatchewan, & Sask Sport Inc. (2019). Moving towards reconciliation through sport: Sharing our process of exploring Team Saskatchewan experiences at the North American Indigenous Games. Journal of Exercise, Movement, and Sport, 51(1).

Ferguson, L. J., & Philipenko, N. Y. (2016). "I would love to blast some pow music and just dance": First Nations students' experiences of physical activity on campus. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 8, 180-193. doi:10.1080/2159676X.2015.1099563

Ironside, A., Ferguson, L.J., Katapally, T.R., & Foulds, H.J.A. (2020). Cultural connectedness as a determinant of physical activity among Indigenous adults in Saskatchewan. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 45(9).

Ironside, A., Ferguson, L.J., Katapally, T.R., Hedayat, L.M., Johnson, S.R., & Foulds, H.J.A. (2021). Social determinants associated with physical activity among Indigenous adults at the University of Saskatchewan. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 46(10).

Johnson, S., Crosschild, T., Poudrier, J., Foulds, H. J. A., McHugh, T.-L., Humbert, L., & Ferguson, L. J. (2020). "It's a big adjustment coming from the reserve to living in a totally different society": Exploring the well-being of First Nations athletes playing sports in an urban mainstream context. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 47, Article 101614.

Johnson, S., LaFleur, J., Moore, S., Ferguson, L.J., McInnes, A., & Foulds, H.J.A. (2021). “It’s exhausting to always be self-editing”: The importance of culture and social support in the health of Métis peoples. Journal of Exercise, Movement and Sport, 52(1).

Audrey Giles

Professor, School of Human Kinetics

University of Ottawa

Selected Publications

Brooks-Cleator, L., & Giles, A.R. (2020). A postcolonial discourse analysis of community stakeholders’ perspectives on supporting urban Indigenous older adults to age well in Ottawa, Canada. International Indigenous Policy Journal, 11, 1-22. doi:10.18584/iipj.2020.11.1.9443.

Contini, N., Giles, A.R., Giesbrecht, G., & Raddi, T. (2021). The adaptation of the Beyond Cold Water Bootcamp Course for Inuvialuit communities in Northwest Territories, Canada. International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 80(1), 1969744.

Gartner-Manzon, S., & Giles, A.R. (2018). Lasting impacts of an Aboriginal youth leadership retreat: A case study of Alberta’s Future Leaders Program. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 18(4), 338-52.

Lawford, K.M., Bourgeault, I.L., & Giles, A.R. (2019). “This policy sucks and it’s stupid:” Mapping maternity care for First Nations women on reserves in Manitoba, Canada. Health Care for Women International, 40(12), 1302-1335.

Millington, R., Hayhurst, L., Giles, A.R., & Rynne, S. (2020). ‘Back in the day, you just opened your mine and on you went’: Extractives industry perspectives on sport for development in Indigenous communities in Canada. Journal of Sport Management, 34(6), 521-532.

Ollier, M., Giles, A.R., Etter, M., Ruttan, J., Elanik, N., Goose, R., & Ipana, E. (2020). Promoting a culturally safe evaluation of an on-the-land wellness program in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. Arctic, 73(3), 312-325.

Ollier, M., Giles, A.R., Etter, M., Ruttan, J., Elanik, N., Goose, R., & Ipana, E. (2022). Required elements for success and benefits of participation in camps of an on-the-land program in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. Inuit Studies, 46(1), 85-109.

Rajwani, Y., Giles, A.R., Forde, S. (2022). Canadian National Sport Organizations’ responses to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Calls to Action and settler silence. Sociology of Sport Journal, 39(2), 205-215.

Roberts, C., Darroch, F.E., Giles, A.R., & van Bruggen, R. (2021). Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C-OVID-19: Adaptations for fly-in and fly-out mental health providers during COVID-19. International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 80(1), 1935133.

van Luijk, N., Giles, A.R., Millington, R., & Hayhurst, L. (2021). The extractives industry: (un)likely and (un)welcome partners in regenerating Indigenous cultures in Canada? Annals of Leisure Research, 24(1), 72-91.

McGuire-Adams, T.D., & Giles, A.R. (2018). Anishinaabekweg Dibaajimowinan (stories) of decolonization through running. Human Kinetics Journals, 35(3), 207-15.

Susan Jack

Professor, School of Nursing

McMaster University

Selected Publications

Catherine, N.L.A., Gonzalez, A., Boyle, M., Sheehan, D., Jack, S.M., Hougham, K.A., McCandless, L., et al. (2016). Improving children’s health and development in British Columbia through nurse home visiting: A randomized controlled trial protocol. BMC Health Services Research, 16, 349.

Wahi, G., de Souza, R.J., Hartmann, K., Giglia, L., Jack, S.M., & Anand, S.S. (2021). Effectiveness of programs aimed at obesity prevention among Indigenous children: A systematic review. Preventive Medicine Reports, 22, 101347.

Wahi, G., Wilson, J., Burning, M., George, S., Hill, P., Homer, J., Jacobs, L., Lickers, A., Smoke, S., Davis, A.D., Desai, D., Jack, S.M., Williams, N., de Souza, R.J., & Anand, S.S. (2022). Impact of maternal health behaviours and social conditions on infant diet at age 1-year: Results from a prospective Indigenous birth cohort in Ontario, Canada. Nutrients, 14(9), 1736.

Wahi, G., Wilson, J., Oster, R., Rain, P., Jack, S.M., Gittelsohn, J., Kandasamy, S. et al. (2019). Strategies for promoting healthy nutrition and physical activity among young children: Priorities of two Indigenous communities in Canada. Current Developments in Nutrition, 4(1), nzz137.

Wright, A., Wahoush, O., Ballantyne, M., Gabel, C., & Jack, S.M. (2018). Selection and use of health services for infants' needs by Indigenous mothers in Canada: Integrative literature review. Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, 50(2), 89-102.

Wright, A., Wahoush, O., Gabel, C., & Jack, S. (2017). Access to primary health-care services for urban-dwelling, Canadian Indigenous women of childbearing age: An integrative review. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 16(1).

Wright, A., Jack, S.M., Ballantyne, M., Gabel, C., Bomberry, R., & Wahoush, O. (2019). How Indigenous mothers experience selecting and using early childhood development services to care for their infants. Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 14(1), 1601486.

Wright, A., Jack, S.M., Ballantyne, M., Gabel, C., Bomberry, R., & Wahoush, O. (2019). Indigenous mothers' experience of using primary care for their infants. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 14(1). 1600940.

Wright, A.., Wahoush, O., Ballantyne, M., Gabel, C., & Jack, S.M. (2016). Qualitative health research involving Indigenous peoples: Culturally appropriate data collection methods. The Qualitative Report, 21, 12, Article 5.

Wright, A.L., Gabel, C., Ballantyne, M., Jack, S.M., & Wahoush, O. (2019). Using two-eyed seeing in research with Indigenous people: An integrative review. International Journal of Qualitative Methods. https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406919869695

Shelly Johnson

Saulteaux;Associate Professor, School of Social Work;Canada Research Chair in Indigenizing Higher Education

Thompson Rivers University

Selected Publications

Johnson, S. (2018). Wise Indigenous woman approaches to research: Navigating and naming jagged ethical tensions and micro-aggressions in the academy. In D. McGregor et al. (Eds.), Indigenous research, theories, practices, and relationships (Chapter 4). Canadian Scholars' Press.

Johnson, S., & Santos, A. (2013). REDressing invisibility and marking violence against Indigenous women in the Americas through art, activism and advocacy. First Peoples Child and Family Review, 7(2), 97-111.

Johnson, S., Rice, R., & Chuckry, J. (2020). Wise Indigenous community development principles. In S. Todd & J. Drolet (eds.)., Community practice and social development in social work (pp. 1-26). Springer.

Johnson, S. (2013). We are the ones we’ve been waiting for: Towards the development of an Indigenous educational advocacy organization for Indigenous children in Canada’s custody. Canadian Journal of Native Education, 36(1), 126-145.

Johnson, S. (2015). Jordan’s Principle and Indigenous children with disabilities in Canada: Jurisdiction, advocacy and research. Journal of Social Work in Disability & Rehabilitation, 14, 3-4.

Johnson, S. (2016). Indigenizing higher education and the Calls to Action: Awakening to personal, political, and academic responsibilities. Canadian Social Work Review, 33, 135-41.

Johnson, S., & Sparrow, C. (2019). Pulling together in an Indigenous cultural revitalization canoe: Indigenous women’s water and land-based research methodologies in action. Canadian Journal of Native Education, 41(1), 9-37.

Johnson, S., & Santos, A. (2013). REDressing invisibility and marking violence against Indigenous women in the Americas through art, activism and advocacy. First Peoples Child & Family Review, 7(2), 97-111.

Archibald, J., Johnson, S., Sparrow, C., & Lyall, A. (2021). Editorial: Awakening the spirit: Indigenous culture and language revitalization through land, water, and sky. Canadian Journal of Native Education, 4(1), 1-8.

Howe, E.R., Johnson, S., & Te Momo, F. (2021). Effective Indigenization of curriculum in Canada and New Zealand: Towards culturally responsive pedagogies. In Journal of Contemporary Issues in Education, 16(1), 23-39.

Johnson, S. (2014). Developing First Nations courts in Canada: Elders as foundational to Indigenous therapeutic jurisprudence. Journal of Indigenous Social Development, 3(2), 1-14

Johnson, S. (2014). Knucwénte-kuc re Stsmémelt.s-kuc:Trauma-informed education for Indigenous children in foster care. Canadian Social Work Review, 31(2), 155-174.

Johnson, S. (2015). Pandemics and urban child survival: Pulling together in the adoption canoe. First Peoples Child and Family Review, 10(1), 52-62.

Johnson, S., Definney, S., Brown, L. & Green, J. ( 2014). Siem Smun’eem (Respected children): A community-based research training story. In C. Etmanski, T. Dawson & B. Hall (Eds.), Learning and teaching community based research: Linking pedagogy and practice, (pp. 93-112). Toronto, ON: University of Toronto Press.

Andrew Judge

Anishinaabe from Deshkan Ziibi; Assistant Professor, Anishinaabe Studies

Algoma University

Lynn Lavallée

Anishinaabe registered with the Metis Nation of Ontario Strategic Lead, Indigenous Resurgence, Faculty of Community Services Professor, School of Social Work

Toronto Metropolitan University

Selected Publications

Lavallée, L. (2020). Is decolonization possible in the Academy. In S. Cote-Meek & T. Moeke-Pickering (eds.), Decolonizing and indigenizing education in Canada (Chapter 7). Canadian Scholars’ Press.

Lavallee, L.F., and Poole, J.M. (2010). Beyond recovery: Colonization, health and healing for Indigenous people in Canada. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 8, 271-281. DOI: 10.1007/s11469-009-9239-8.

Lavallee, L.F. (2009). Practical application of an Indigenous research framework and two qualitative Indigenous research methods: Sharing circles and Anishnaabe symbol-based reflection. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 8(1), 21-40.

Bruner, M.W., Hillier, S., Baillie, C.P.T., Lavallee, L.F., Bruner, B.G., Hare, K. et al. (2016). Positive youth development in Aboriginal physical activity and sport: A systematic review. Adolescent Research Review, 1(3), 257-69.

Carter, C., Lapum, J., Lavallée, L., Schindel Martin, L., & Restoule, J.-P. (2016). Urban First Nations men: Narratives of positive identity and implications for culturally safe care. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 28(5), 445-54.

Carter, C., Lapum, J.L., Lavallée, L.F., & Schindel Martin, L. (2014). Explicating positionality: A journey of dialogical and reflexive storytelling. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 13, 362-76.

Hillier, S.A., Winkler, E.J., & Lavallée, L. (2020). Decolonising the HIV care cascade: Policy and funding recommendations from Indigenous Peoples living with HIV and AIDS. International Journal of Indigenous Health, 15(1), 48-60.

Angela Mashford-Pringle

Algonquin,Timiskaming First Nation; Associate Director, Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Peoples' Health; Associate Professor, Social and Behavioural Health Sciences, Dalla Lana School of Public Health

University of Toronto

Selected Publications

Mashford-Pringle, A., & Pavagadhi, K. (2020). Using OCAP and IQ as frameworks to address a hestory of trauma in Indigenous health research. AMA Journal of Ethics, 22(10), E868-873.

Mashford-Pringle, A., Skura, C., Stutz, S., Yohathasan, T. (2021). What we heard? Indigenous Peoples and COVID-19: Supplementary report for the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada’s Report on the State of Public Health in Canada. Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health, University of Toronto.

Arpin, E., Gauffin, K., Kerr, M., Hjern, A., Mashford-Pringle, A., Barros, A., Rajmil, L. et al. (2021). Climate change and child health inequality: A review of reviews. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, 10896.

Bowra, A., & Mashford-Pringle, A. (2021). More than a structure: Exploring the relationship between Indigenous homemaking practices and wholistic wellbeing. Wellbeing, Space and Society, 2, 100007.

Hiscock, E.C., Stutz, S., Mashford-Pringle, A., Tan, S., Scott, B., Oblin-Moses, L., & Skura, C. (2022). An environmental scan of Indigenous Patient Navigator programs in Ontario. Healthcare Management Forum, 0(0), 1-6. DOI; 10.1177/08404704211067659.

Maddox, R., Blais, G., Mashford-Pringle, A., Monchalin, R., Firestone, M., Ziegler, C., Norton Ninomiya, M., & Smylie, J. (2021). Reviewing health service and program evaluations in Indigenous contexts: A systematic review. American Journal of Evaluation, 42(3), 332-353.

Milligan, C., Mantla, R., Blake, G., Zoe, J.B., Steinwand, T., Greenland, S., Keats, S., Nash, S., Kakfwi-Scott, K., Veldhorst, G., Mashford-Pringle, A. et al. (2022). Health system learning with Indigenous communities: A study protocol for a two-eyed seeing review and multiple case study. Health Research Policy and Systems, 20, 65.

Rand, M., Sheppard, A.J., Jamal, S., Kewayosh, A., & Mashford-Pringle, A. (2019). Evaluation of the Aboriginal relationship and cultural competency courses among a sample of Indigenous Services Canada nurses. International Journal of Indigenous Health, 14(1), 2.

Shapiro, G.D., Sheppard, A.J., Mashford-Pringle, A., Bushnik, T., Kramer, M.S., Kaufman, J.S., & Yang, S. (2021). Housing conditions and adverse birth outcomes among Indigenous people in Canada. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 112, 903-911

Shapiro, G.D., Sheppard, A.J., Bushnik, T., Kramer, M.S., Mashford-Pringle, A., Kaufman, J.S., & Yang, S. (2018). Adverse birth outcomes and infant mortality according to registered First Nations status and First Nations community residence across Canada. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 109, 692-699.

Tjong, G.B., Stutz, S., Yohathasan, T., & Mashford-Pringle, A. (2022). Developing an Indigenous cultural safety micro-credential: Initial findings from a training designed for public health professionals in southern Ontario. Global Public Health. DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2022.2076146.

Webb, D., & Mashford-Pringle, A. (2022). Incorporating Indigenous content into K-12 curriculum: Supports for teachers in provincial and territorial policy and post-secondary education spaces. Canadian Journal of Educational Administration and Policy, 198, 55-73.

Renée Monchalin

Metis-Anishnaabe, Métis Nation of Ontario; Assistant Professor, School of Public Health and Social Policy

University of Victoria

Selected Publications

Monchalin, R., Auger, M., Jones, C., Paul, W., & Lopie, C. (2022). “I would just like to see more acknowledgement, respect and services for the people who are in between, just Métis people”: Recommenations by Métis women to improve access to health and social services in Victoria, Canada. AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, 18(3), 327-334.

Monchalin, R., Jubinville, D., Pérez Piñán, A.V., Paul, W., Wells, M., Ross, A., Law, K., Chaffey, M., & Pruder, H. (2023). “I would love for there not to be so many hoops…: Recommendations to improve abortion service access and experiences made by Indigenous women and 2SLGTBQIA+ people in Canada. Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters, 31(1), 2247667.

Monchalin, R., Pérez Piñán, A.V., Wells, M., Paul, W., Jubinville, D., Law, K., Chaffey, M. (2023). A qualitative study exploring access barriers to abortion services among Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Contraception, 124, 110056.

Monchalin, R. (2019). Digging up the medicines: Urban Métis women’s identity and experiences with health and social services in Toronto, Ontario. Unpublished PhD dissertation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Monchalin, R. (2021). Novel coronavirus, access to abortion services, and bridging Western and Indigenous knowledges in a postpandemic world. Women’s Health Issues, 31(1), 5-8.

Monchalin, R., Auger, M., Jones, C., Willow, P., & Loppie, C. (2022). “I would just like to see more acknowledgement, respect and services for people who are in between, just Métis people”: Recommendations by Métis women to improve access to health and social services in Victoria, Canada. AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, OnlineFirst. https://doi.org/10.1177/11771801221103399

Monchalin, R., Flicker, S., Wilson, C., Prentice, T., Oliver, V., Jackson, R., Larkin, J. et al. (2016). "When you follow your heart, you provide that path for others": Indigenous models of youth leadership in HIV prevention. International Journal of Indigenous Health, 11(1), 135-58. DOI: 10.18357/ijih111201616012.

Monchalin, R., Smylie, J., & Bourgeois, C. (2020). “It’s not like I’m more Indigenous there and I’m less Indigenous here”: Urban Métis women’s identity and access to health and social services in Toronto, Canada. AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, 16(4), 323-31.

Monchalin, R., Smylie, J., & Nowgesic, E. (2020). “I guess I shouldn’t come back here”: Racism and discrimination as a barrier to accessing health and social services for urban Métis women in Toronto, Canada. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 7, 251-61.

Monchalin, R., Smylie, J., & Nowgesic, E. (2019). "I guess I shouldn't come back here": Racism and discrimination as a barrier to accessing Health and social services for urban Métis women in Toronto, Canada. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 1-11. DOI: 10.1007/s40615-019-00653-1.

Monchalin, R., Smylie, J., Bourgeois, C., & Firestone, M. (2019). "I would prefer to have my health care provided over a cup of tea any day": Recommendations by urban Métis women to improve access to health and social services in Toronto for the Métis community. AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, 15(3), 217-225. DOI: 10.1177/1177180119866515.

Corntassel, J., Edgar, R., Monchalin, R., & Newman, C. (2020). Everyday Indigenous resurgence during COVID-19: A social media situation report. AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, 16(4), 403-405.

Flicker, S., Native Youth Sexual Health Network, Wilson, C., Monchalin, R., Oliver, V., Prentice, T., Jackson, R., Larkin, J., Mitchell, C., & Restoule, J.-P. (2019). “Stay strong, stay sexy, stay Native”: Storying Indigenous youth HIV prevention activism. Action Research, 17(3), 323-343.

Flicker, S., O’Campo, P., Monchalin, R., Thistle, J., Worthington, C., Masching, R., Guta, A. et al. (2015). Research done in “a good way”: The importance of Indigenous Elder involvement in HIV community-based research. American Journal of Public Health, 105, 1149-54. DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302522.

Flicker, S., Wilson, C., Native Youth Sexual Health Network, Monchalin, R., Restoule, J.-P., Mitchell, C. et al. (2020). The impact of Indigenous youth sharing digital stories about HIV activism. Health Promotion Practice, 21(5), 802-811.

Maddox, R., Blais, G., Mashford-Pringle, A., Monchalin, R., Firestone, M., Ziegler, C., Norton Ninomiya, M., & Smylie, J. (2021). Reviewing health service and program evaluations in Indigenous contexts: A systematic review. American Journal of Evaluation, 42(3), 332-353.

Indigenous Health Researchers Database

Urban Indigenous

Caroline Desbiens

Contact Information

Themes

Selected Publications

Elizabeth Fast

Contact Information

Themes

Selected Publications

Leah Ferguson

Contact Information

Themes

Selected Publications

Audrey Giles

Contact Information

Themes

Selected Publications

Susan Jack

Contact Information

Themes

Selected Publications

Shelly Johnson

Contact Information

Themes

Selected Publications

Andrew Judge

Contact Information

Themes

Selected Publications

Lynn Lavallée

Contact Information

Themes

Selected Publications

Angela Mashford-Pringle

Contact Information

Themes

Selected Publications

Renée Monchalin

Contact Information

Themes

Selected Publications

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