2020-2021 Recipients

Tina Alexis

Tina Alexis is Dakelh (Carrier) from Ulkatcho First Nation in Central British Columbia and the granddaughter of Peter & Minnie Alexis. She is currently a doctoral student in the Department of Indigenous Studies at the University of Saskatchewan. She completed her Masters of Education at the University of Saskatchewan in 2019 and obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Indigenous Studies at the University of British Columbia in 2017. Tina's work will concentrate on reclaiming Dakelh perspectives, knowledge systems, cultural values and methodologies through community collaboration and education.

Christy Anderson

Christy Anderson is a member of Pinaymootang First Nation in Treaty Two Territory, located in the Manitoba Interlake Region. Her cultural heritage is Anishinaabeg on her father’s side and Mennonite from her maternal lineage; she is a first generation intergenerational Indian Residential School survivor. Christy is a single mother of two young boys who bravely moved away from home so that their mom could pursue her doctoral degree in Indigenous Studies at the University of Saskatchewan. Ms. Anderson was honoured to receive many academic acknowledgements this year including the University of Saskatchewan Indigenous Achievement Award for Academic Excellence, the College of Arts and Science Aboriginal Graduate Scholarship, and the Saskatchewan Indigenous Mentorship Network Graduate Student Stipend.

Ms. Anderson began her university studies at University of Toronto Scarborough where her passion for learning was reinvigorated from 2001-2004. After a 5-year post-secondary hiatus, Christy returned to complete her BA in Communications and Media Studies at Canadian Mennonite University in her hometown of Winnipeg, MB. Ms. Anderson switched disciplines in her Master’s program at the University of Manitoba where she graduated with an MA in Native Studies in 2017. Christy’s research interests are gendered colonial violence, MMIWG, Indigenous feminisms, Indigenous sovereignty, Indigenous politics, Indigenous women’s healing practices, spirituality, reconciliation, and community-based research.

Indiana Best

Indiana Best is a Métis student from Alberta, with ancestors from Whitehorse Plains, Manitoba. Before moving to Saskatoon, she completed a Bachelor’s of Health Science at the University of Calgary. She is currently in her third year of the MPH (Master of Public Health) thesis-option at the University of Saskatchewan. 

Her Master’s thesis, is titled, Exploration of Métis cultural programming at MACSI, an organization providing cultural healing to Métis clients experiencing problematic substance use in Saskatoon, SK. She is looking to understand the foundational perspectives and elements of Métis culture that could be incorporated into addictions treatment. From her research, she hopes to create a guiding document of Métis cultural components that could be used in the development in programming curriculum.

Shana Cardinal

Tansi! My name is Shana Cardinal, I am an Indigenous person (Métis) and currently a second year PhD student at the University of Regina within the Faculty of Education. I am also employed with Regina Public Schools as a School Counsellor and am a single mother of one. 

My research focuses on uncovering the impacts of intergenerational trauma on the mental health of Indigenous children and youth.  I believe this is a critical area of Indigenous health and wellness and my intention is to work with Indigenous Elders, adults, children and youth, their communities, and professionals from within the education sector to undertake this work.  Ultimately my objective is to strengthen and increase my experience in working with at-risk and marginalized students with complex needs in formal and informal settings.  In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my 17-year-old daughter Khemissa, travelling and giving back to my Indigenous community.

Charmaine Christiansen

My name is Charmaine Christiansen. I am from Dawson City, Yukon and proudly part of the Tr’ondék Hwëch’in First Nation. On my mothers’ side I am Whiteriver First Nation and honored that my grandfather gifted me with my Northern Tutchone name Tsäw Kézhye which means “gopher hunter”. My grandfather on my dad’s side came from Norway and met my grandma who travelled from Alaska to the Yukon before the borders separated the Hän People. I am grateful to my parents who raised me with our traditional Indigenous practices such as dog mushing, hide tanning, birchbark basket making, sewing, hunting, gathering, and so much more.

In April 2020 I graduated from the BA Applied Emphasis Psychology Program at Concordia University Edmonton. Here at USask my goal is to study traditional Indigenous healing practices along side the Western practice of Psychology, which is termed the “Two-Eyed Seeing” approach. As a first-generation graduate student, it is important to me to bring the knowledge I gain back to the Yukon as I see many families including my own struggling to find healing and prosperity from the impact of residential school and colonial assimilation. My research interest includes holism, traditional healing practices, Indigenous governance, Indigenization, decolonization and community-based research.

Ann Dorion

Ann Dorion is from the northern community of Pelican Narrows and she is a member of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. Ann completed her Bachelor of Health Studies at the First Nations University of Canada. She is currently enrolled in the Master of Public Policy at the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy where she is also a research team member in the Digital Epidemiology and Population Health Laboratory. Ann is interested in population health intervention research; she is a part of the SMART Indigenous Youth Project, which is embedding a culturally, linguistically, and geographically appropriate land-based active living intervention.

Jenny Gardipy

Jenny Gardipy is a mother of 6 and Kokom (grandmother in Cree) of 4 from Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation in Treaty 6 Territory. Jenny is a 1st year PhD student in the Indigenous Studies Department at the University of Saskatchewan. She graduated from the U of S in 2011 with a Master's degree in Public Health. Immediately after obtaining her degrees, she worked with national and local health organizations before becoming the Director of Health for her community. Jenny joined the federal government in December 2016 as the Director of Business Operations for the First Nation and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB), Saskatchewan Region in the newly formed department called Indigenous Services Canada (formerly under Health Canada). Jenny then worked as the Associate Regional Director for FNIHB before she took a year off work to be closer to her mother after her father passed away in 2018. Jenny always had an interest in working in the health field and strongly believes that Indigenous peoples have the capacity and knowledge to make healthy changes in their communities. Jenny is passionate about taking an active role in helping communities move towards better health outcomes. Jenny’s mother went blind when she was 13-years old and Jenny witnessed the lack of health services that many in the disabled community face. Jenny’s late father survived the Indian Residential School and recently passed away on February 15, 2018. Jenny believes her late father’s humble and Nehiyaw (Cree) ways of being continue to be her foundation. Jenny would like her research to contribute to positive health outcomes of Indigenous peoples with physical disabilities.

Candace Gladeau

My name is Ka-Pisakastek-Sunrise, my English name is Candace Rae Gladeau. I am a status Cree, Saulteaux, and French Metis single parent of 25-year-old Matthew, 20-year-old Madison and 6-year-old Mateah from O’Chiese FN, Alberta but grew up primarily in Moosomin FN and Saskatoon. I graduated with my Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work Degree in October 2007 and am currently a Masters of Indigenous Social Work Student at the University of Regina-First Nations University of Canada-Saskatoon campus and will convocate October 2021.
Becoming a mental health cultural therapist is a dream come true as I have a vision of a youth ranch which will be culturally and land based, with equine therapy, language, ceremonial and Elder access as well as western and traditional counselling methods and ideologies. I am grateful for being a successful candidate and am excited to see where the next chapter of my life takes me. Thank you.

Jory Meyer

Jory Meyer is a Métis student from Eastend Saskatchewan, with ancestors from Manitoba. He moved to Saskatoon in 2014 to study Kinesiology and completed a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degree in 2019. He is currently in his second year of the course-based Master of Physical Therapy (M.P.T.) program. Jory applied for an MPT student research project. Throughout the year he will be working alongside Dr. Stacey Lovo on a project titled Virtual Pre-Surgical Education Pathway for Indigenous Patients Accessing Total Joint Replacements. They will be conducting a needs assessment in collaboration with Indigenous community members to identify unique needs for a pre-surgical virtual assessment and education pathway. Using the results of the research they hope to provide recommendations for a virtual pre-surgical education pathway to support Indigenous patients in Saskatchewan.

Wendy Mirasty

Wendy Mirasty is currently a student in the faculty of Graduate Studies and Research with the University of Regina. She is majoring in Indigenous Social Work. Wendy was born in Treaty 6 Territory. Primarily resided on the First Nation of Little Red River Reserve-Lac La Ronge Indian Band. She is Cree. She is a mother, daughter, aunt and sister. She continues her education as she wants to role model for her children, nieces and nephews and to help those who are hurting from past traumas. She is an intergenerational survivor of the Indian Residential Schools.

Wendy is honoured to receive the Saskatchewan Indigenous Mentorship Network Graduate Student Stipend. She began her educational journey in 2010 with the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies and completed her Certificate in Community Addictions. She then went into Indigenous Social Work and received her bachelor’s degree in 2014. Currently she is in her graduate program and will be applying for her Ph.D. She is also the author of “52 Weeks of a Single Mother’s Love”. She is currently writing additional books while she is finishing her graduate program.

Her research interests are family genograms, Indigenous parenting practices, spirituality, intergenerational trauma and Indigenous men’s healing practices.

Jacqueline Smith

Jacqueline Smith is Swampy Cree from Opaskwayak Cree Nation in Manitoba. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in 2016 from Dalhousie University with a double major in History and French, and a minor in Canadian Studies. Jacqueline is currently a MA student in the Department of Indigenous Studies at the University of Saskatchewan where her research focuses on Indigenous health, Indigenous healing, and mental health.

Bridgette Thomas

My name is Bridgette Thomas and I am a Master’s student in Indigenous Social Work at First Nations University of Canada. I am a Cree speaking woman from Chemawawin Cree Nation (Easterville, MB) and come from a family of nine children. I will be the first in my family to receive a graduate degree. I chose the field of social work and counselling after overcoming my own life challenges of recovery and healing. These experiences have included overcoming alcohol addiction and having grown up with domestic violence. I have survived numerous car accidents, including having been hit by a drunk driver while 8.5 months pregnant and working on my undergraduate degree. My daughter and I both survived this ordeal. After many surgeries, and with the support of my husband and children, my health is in a better place today. I share this story of overcoming adversity and trauma as I consider myself an advocate for others who have not found their voice. My daughter (now 12) and I have also co-authored a book on loss and grieving called, “Dennae’s Angel Star.”
 
This year I will be celebrating twenty-seven years of sobriety. This has been accomplished through the support of my late parents who paved the way themselves and through my faith. Returning to school was not an easy choice, but I know they would be proud of me, just as I know my son, daughter, husband, and family are proud of me. When I am done my degree, I plan to work with Indigenous communities to offer consulting, counselling, and support services as well as my own practice.

Emily Winters

Emily Winters is a Doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at the University of Regina. She is an Inuk-Settler woman from Newfoundland and Labrador. She was raised in St. John’s and her land claims region is Nunatsiavut, a stretch of land along the coast of Labrador. Emily completed her B.Sc. (Hons) and M.Sc. from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Emily’s research interests include attitudes and perceptions towards substance use, particularly within the context of vulnerable and under-served populations. Her SSHRC-funded Master’s research examined the stigma surrounding substance use disorders and how the intersections of Indigeneity and treatment-seeking intention amplify that stigma. Her doctoral research aims to better understand the circumstances and prevalence of both medical and recreational cannabis use in long-term care facilities in Saskatchewan. Emily has a long-term goal of working as an independent researcher in an academic setting, as well as practicing as a clinical psychologist.

Michelle Zinck

Michelle Zinck is Dené from Fond Du Lac Denesulłiné First Nation, located in the Treaty 8 Territory of northern Saskatchewan. Michelle is a Master's student in the Department of Indigenous Studies at the University of Saskatchewan. Her research is centered on community engagement and the co-development of meaningful initiatives to address the health effects from colonially induced environmental changes in her community and globally. Michelle's research interests include Indigenous health, land and health, community-engagement, land-based healing, traditional knowledge, and Indigenous food sovereignty.