May 14 2025, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Virtual

Interested in learning more about Indigenous health research? Join this session, hosted by the VCHRI Indigenous Health Research Unit (IHRU), for an insightful introduction to the IHRU and its role in advancing Indigenous health equity and cultural safety for research excellence. In this interactive session, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions about Indigenous health research and to learn more about the IHRU’s impactful work.

Learning objectives 

In this workshop you will learn:

  • What Indigenous health research is and why it matters in today’s clinical and academic research environments  
  • Key principles for conducting respectful and collaborative research with Indigenous communities  
  • How to begin engaging respectfully in Indigenous health research, including where to start and who to connect with

This workshop is part of our VCHRI Research Training Series. This series is designed to support the acquisition of advanced skills, techniques and knowledge and lead to enhanced practices in the conduct of research.

About the speakers
Dr. Gabrielle Legault (she/her), PhD, is IHRU director. She is a Métis scholar specializing in Indigenous health and wellness. Her research focuses on urban Indigenous identities, inter-Indigenous relations and youth-led initiatives. Gabrielle is an assistant professor in Indigenous Studies at UBC Okanagan in Syilx Territory. She is dedicated to promoting Indigenous knowledge systems in health care and fostering collaboration that amplifies Indigenous perspectives in research and education.
Dr. Andreas Pilarinos (he/him), PhD, MPP, is a program manager at IHRU. He is a settler of Greek ancestry living on the traditional territories of the Xʷməθkwəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and Səl̓ílwətaʔ Peoples in East Vancouver. He has over a decade of experience in harm reduction-based shelters and housing programs. Andreas focuses on community-led research, addressing anti-Indigenous racism in health care and implementing learning health system approaches.
Sandra Fox (she/her) is IHRU’s Indigenous research engagement and knowledge translation lead. She is from the Musqueam Indian Band, with mixed Musqueam and British ancestry. She grew up on Syilx and Secwepemc territories and now resides in Syilx territory in Kelowna, co-parenting her two children. Sandra has worked with Indigenous Peoples for over 20 years, aligning her work with her values and supporting Indigenous communities through meaningful, culturally relevant action.
Dr. Chenoa Cassidy-Matthews (she/her), PhD, MPH, is a population health epidemiologist at IHRU. She is an anishininewak member of Sachigo Lake First Nation, with mixed French and Scottish ancestry. Raised on Anishinabek and Haudenosaunee lands, she now lives on the traditional territories of the Xʷməθkwəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and Səl̓ílwətaʔ Peoples. Her doctoral research centred the experiences of urban Indigenous Peoples who use substances amidst concurrent public health emergencies during the COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia. Her research with IHRU spans Indigenous data governance, Indigenous food systems, climate change and resilience and public health emergencies.

 

 

Primary health service delivery area