Impacts of Indian Day Schools on Indigenous Well-being (academic blog post)

In addition to the Spotlight interview I did with Shashika Bandara & McGill Perspectives on Global Health, I contributed an article/post about the impacts of Indian Day Schools on Indigenous health & well-being. This is one of the areas of focus of my doctoral research at McGill University.

I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude and thanks to Shashika for being so understanding and sincere during our interview and the editing process. I am grateful for the important work he and others continue to do in calling attention to inequalities and challenges in global health issues, as an act of resistance and call to action.

http://www.perspectivesmcgill.com/opinion/impactofindiandayschools

Article sections:

  • WHAT ARE INDIAN DAY SCHOOLS?
  • FEDERAL INDIAN DAY SCHOOL CLASS ACTION
  • REFLECTIONS: LONG-STANDING IMPACTS OF INDIAN DAY SCHOOLS
  • MOVING FORWARD: DECOLONIZING EDUCATION
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National Gathering of Grad Students

My first in-person conference in over two years in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan!

The National Gathering of Graduate Students brings together Indigenous scholars and grad students from across so-called Canada. I attended one of these gathering in Kamloops a few years back – and loved it!

This year’s conference was held at Dakota Dunes Casino Resort in White Cap First Nation, Saskatchewan. The rooms were so nice, new, and clean. The view from the rooftop lounge, especially at sunrise, was breathtaking. We had great food and service throughout my stay. The conference organizers arranged a comedy night with Howie Miller & performance by hip hop artist Ekwol.

I was selected as a delegate from the Quebec NEIHR network to present my research on Indian Day Schools. Each conference day includes sessions with panels of Indigenous graduate presenters. The presentations are always interesting and inspiring. There were additional sessions featuring Indigenous faculty at various stages of their careers. I had the opportunity to ask questions about pursuing a career in academia, including the challenges and highlights. I loved the side conversations I had with people, and really connected with a few of them. This gathering is one of my favorites by far!

Niawenhkó:wa to the NEIHR network & KSDPP for sponsoring my trip, to the conference organizers, and to everyone that shared their important work and stories at the conference.

(On a side note, I got covid from this trip and was off sick for two weeks. I recovered and hope that everyone else from the conference is healthy and safe)

Views from Dakota Dunes, a beautiful conference gift, and the Elders panel including Elder Amelia McGregor (3rd from left).

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EGSS Conference 2022: Indigenous community-centered research

Indigenous community research ethics

Conference Presentation- Indigenous Community-Centered Research: Navigating ethics, cultural protocols, & relationships

Very appreciative of the opportunity to present the Kahnawà:ke Education Center’s (KEC) Research Policy & Code of Ethics with the McGill community! This panel explored the process of co-writing the new policy for the KEC. My co-panelists (& policy co-writers) were Kahtehrón:ni Stacey & Daniella Birlain D’Amico. The three of us are graduate (PhD) students at McGill in the Department of Integrated Studies in Education. We not only came together to co-write this policy and help launch it but we also supported each other throughout the pandemic with our individual research.

This annual conference is organized by the Education Graduate Students Society (EGSS) at McGill University as an opportunity for students to share and learn from each other. This year’s conference theme was: Challenge, Change & Resilience.

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EGSS Conference 2022 (McGill): Indian Day Schools

Conference Presentation: Multigenerational Stories of Indian Day Schools in Kahnawà:ke

Very thankful for the opportunity to present my ongoing doctoral research on Indian Day Schools in my home community, Kahnawà:ke Kanien’kehá:ka territory. It was a challenge to provide a snapshot of this important issue and my research progress in just 15 minutes. I received a positive response and thank the people that joined in to listen. Gratitude to the conference organizers, presenters, and everyone that participated.

This annual conference is organized by the Education Graduate Students Society (EGSS) at McGill University as an opportunity for students to share and learn from each other. This year’s conference theme was: Challenge, Change & Resilience.

Niá:wen to my friend Eun-ji for sending a screenshot of my presentation 🙂

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