Indigenous News
Dr. Wendie Marks: Researching the complex connections between stress, nutrition, and health
By the end of grade eight, Dr. Wendie Marks (PhD) was sure about one thing: she knew she wanted to study health and the way early-life development affected the human body.
New Department of Indigenous Health and Wellness approved at USask College of Medicine
The University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) College of Medicine is creating a first of its kind department in a Canadian medical school, dedicated to improving the health outcomes of ...
New USask Indigenous health department first of its kind in Canada
The University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) College of Medicine is creating a first of its kind department in a Canadian medical school, dedicated to improving the health outcomes of ...
New USask research chair focuses on improving Indigenous children’s wellness
Newly appointed Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) Dr. Wendie Marks (PhD) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) is investigating links between obesity in Indigenous children an...
Combating diabetes using community strengths, aided by USask research
SASKATOON – A University of Saskatchewan (USask) research team is working directly with Indigenous communities throughout Saskatchewan to improve methods for preventing Type 2 diab...
Renewed support for Cameco Chair in Indigenous Health and Wellness at USask
Since 2017, the Cameco Chair in Indigenous Health and Wellness at the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) College of Medicine has carried out extensive and innovative research to ...
USask researchers receive $7 million in CIHR funding
Research on new ovarian and pancreatic cancer diagnostics and therapeutics among the projects to receive funding.
Leader in Indigenizing research recognized with USask honorary degree
A Sixties’ Scoop survivor who has endured racism and trauma, Sharon Jinkerson-Brass never imagined she would one day walk across a stage to receive an honorary doctorate.
Scratching That Itch: Dr. Rachel Asiniwasis Targets Atopic Dermatitis
When Dr. Rachel Asiniwasis (MD) returned to the prairies after her dermatology residency in Toronto, she noticed a pattern among many of her pediatric patients. Hundreds of them we...
USask graduate student passionate about community engagement
A graduate student at the University of Saskatchewan's College of Medicine has been recognized for community engagement at the Indigenous Student Achievement Awards Ceremony.
Medical students honoured with Indigenous Student Achievement Awards
Two medical students from the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Medicine were honoured at the Indigenous Student Achievement Awards Ceremony on March 9.
Meet the College of Medicine’s newest team
The Office of the Vice-Dean Indigenous Health (OVDIH) has been established at the USask College of Medicine, and its team of four are busy moving forward with the creation of a new...
A place of dialogue and healing
North West Family Medicine residents visit former residential school site
Creating programs that make a difference motivates Thunderchild
Harvey Thunderchild’s life path has been a fascinating journey. It has taken him across Canada and into the United States, and most recently has led him to his new position as the ...
Pewaseskwan at USask supports Nehiyawak (Cree) language and culture revitalization on Saskatchewan First Nation
Nehiyawak (Cree) language echoes through the auditorium at Sakāskohc High School on Onion Lake Cree Nation (OLCN) on a cold December evening. Four male Elders sit in armchairs at t...
Building an Indigenous space in the College of Medicine
Dr. Janet Tootoosis (MD) has a challenge ahead of her to establish the foundation of an administrative home for Indigenous Health in the College of Medicine (CoM).
Decolonizing institutional approaches to research from the inside
King is changing the way research is done with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Message from Dean Preston Smith
September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Class of 2024 Begins their MPT Journey
The School of Rehabilitation Science welcomed 40 new students into the Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) program on August 24.
USask alum named president of Canadian Medical Association
On August 21, 2022, University of Saskatchewan (USask) alum Dr. Alika Lafontaine (MD’06) was named president of the Canadian Medical Association, and is the first Indigenous leader...
Pewaseskwan at USask to work with The Key First Nation and Yorkton Tribal Council on researching heart disease and Kennedy’s Disease
Pewaseskwan Indigenous Wellness Research Group (pewaseskwan) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) has partnered with The Key First Nation and the Yorkton Tribal Council to sup...
Interim Vice-Dean Indigenous Health ‘optimistic’ in developing new division
Building a new division in the University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Medicine will be challenging, but it’s an aspect of the new role Dr. Janet Tootoosis (MD’99) is anticip...
Patient-oriented research in Saskatchewan receives $25.2 million in support
The Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research (SCPOR) based from the University of Saskatchewan (USask) has entered a second phase of operation, thanks to a $12.6-million g...
Pewaseskwan at USask signs MOU with SFNWC to support research with Indigenous women
The Saskatchewan First Nations Women’s Commission (SFNWC) at the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) and pewaseskwan—the Indigenous Wellness Research Group (IWRG) at ...
USask Métis medical student realizing lifelong dream of becoming family physician
Since she was a kid, Hanna Dunnigan has always had an internal drive to help people.
New project studying connection between Indigenous mental health and housing promises to help people in Saskatchewan and abroad
Shortly after Dr. Jim Dosman (MD) came to the College of Medicine in 1975, he began studying the link between farm dust and lung health.
Vice-Dean Indigenous Health position created at USask College of Medicine
The College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) has hired its first vice-dean Indigenous Health. The position was created to bring Indigenous health and issues mo...
'I'm Going To Do This': with Dr. Veronica McKinney
When Veronica McKinney was a little girl, she vividly remembers going to the Saskatoon Public Library, borrowing a Time-Life book about the human body.
USask researchers collaborate with Indigenous communities to address health inequities with new federal funding
Two University of Saskatchewan (USask) research teams have been awarded more than $2.8 million in federal funding to address systemic inequities in the lives of Indigenous people i...
How a summer research project with pewaseskwan turned my curiosity into a passion
When I was presented with the opportunity to do a 2021 Dean’s Summer Research Project with Dr. Alexandra King (MD) and her research team, pewaseskwan – the Indigenous Wellness Rese...
The importance of meaningful, community-led research projects
This past summer, I had the privilege of participating in a community-based participatory research project with the pewaseskwan (The Sky is Clearing) research group.
Supporting mental health in northern Saskatchewan communities during COVID-19
In Saskatchewan’s northern communities, COVID-19 has exacerbated the gaps in health care, including mental health. This became even more apparent during the pandemic with overall l...
Pewaseskwan at USask signs MOU with FSIN to create research alliance
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) and pewaseskwan—the Indigenous Wellness Research Group (IWRG) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask)—have signed a memorand...
Upcoming conference on HIV and hepatitis C vital to addressing rising rates in Saskatchewan
Pewaseskwan - the Indigenous Wellness Research Group based in the University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Medicine, is hosting the Sask Stories Provincial Conference on HIV a...
Indigenous virtual conference to highlight lessons learned from COVID-19 to address viral hepatitis
The organizing committee of the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Viral Hepatitis is hosting a virtual conference about lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic by global I...
USask researchers awarded more than $4.45 million for six health-related projects
A pair of University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers will receive in excess of $2.4 million for two projects using Indigenous ways of being and doing to influence change in the...
USask researcher named a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
University of Saskatchewan (USask) researcher Dr. Malcolm King (PhD) has been named a fellow in one of Canada’s oldest and most prestigious national institutions.
Number of First Nations people living with IBD in Saskatchewan has doubled
SASKATOON – The number of First Nations people in Saskatchewan living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) more than doubled from 1999 to 2016, according to research recently publ...
Grant funds community-engaged diabetes research
A College of Medicine research team is improving health care for individuals with diabetes in Regina and nearby Indigenous communities, thanks to a Research Connections grant from ...
First Indigenous neurologist graduates from Saskatchewan
One of the country’s newest neurologists is Dr. Landon Perlett (MD’15), a Métis man from rural Saskatchewan. He is also the first Indigenous neurologist to graduate from the Colleg...
President's Statement on National Indigenous Peoples Day
Today is June 21st, National Indigenous Peoples Day—the day we recognize and honour the rich and diverse history, cultures, and achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis acros...
New USask-based Indigenous centre for research on HIV, HCV and STBBI launches in Saskatoon
A new regional centre for Indigenous research on HIV, Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and sexually transmitted blood-borne illness (STBBI), based at the University of Saskatchewan (USask),...
Statement on burial site found at former residential school in Kamloops
A statement from Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann.<br/><br/>
Waniska Centre holds pipe ceremonies to establish relationships with partner organizations
Newly formed research relationships at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) were honoured and blessed with virtual pipe ceremonies on April 6 and 13, 2021.
Giving for life: organ donation and transplants through an Indigenous lens
Medical anthropologist Dr. Caroline Tait and fellow think tank members tackle ethical and philosophical questions around transplant medicine.
There’s more to McInnes than meets the eye
Dr. Adam McInnes (MD) isn’t afraid to jump into things with both feet.
USask awarded $650K to work with First Nations and Métis communities to address the impacts of COVID-19
The University of Saskatchewan (USask) has been named one of the 15 winners of the North American 2020 TD Ready Challenge presented by TD Bank Group.
Indigenous wellness through 'slow' research, with Alexandra King
Like the "slow food" movement, Dr. Alexandra King promotes "slow research" when it comes to Indigenous people's health and wellness.
Indigenous wellness learning at USask supported by CMA and SMA
University of Saskatchewan (USask) fourth-year medical students will be able to take the national award-winning Indigenous wellness online course, The Role of Practitioners in Indi...
USask researcher and Métis partners collaborate to jig away cardiac woes
SASKATOON – In a first-of-its-kind Canadian study, University of Saskatchewan (USask) researcher Heather Foulds will assess the physical, mental, cultural, and social benefits that...
Exploring technology use with Indigenous elderly for health and well-being
University of Saskatchewan (USask) post-doctoral fellow Dr. Cari McIlduff (PhD) has been awarded $45,000 from AGE-WELL and the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) to lea...
USask provides virtual care during pandemic
When an outbreak of COVID-19 caused travel restrictions to be instituted in northern Saskatchewan in May, residents’ access to health care services were limited—especially for expe...
USask-led Indigenous health research network finds home at Station 20 West
In a significant step for Indigenous health research in Saskatchewan and nationally, a new University of Saskatchewan (USask)-led network dedicated to improving health and wellness...
USask College of Medicine hosts Indigenous language training
Cree is one of the most widely spoken Indigenous languages in the province. A new course offered by the College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) now gives part...
Amendments to legislation protect vulnerable and Indigenous women
Indigenous women are three to four times more likely than other women to be sexually assaulted or murdered, and seven times more likely to be targeted by serial killers.
USask awarded $5 million to lead new CIHR Indigenous health research networks to address health disparities
University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers have been awarded $5 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) as part of a major new national initiative that a...
USask awarded $3.6M to tackle opioid withdrawal in babies, improve health care for youth and elderly
Eight University of Saskatchewan (USask) health research projects have been awarded nearly $3.6 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to improve health and...
Family recovery inspires USask student
When Kaili Gilroy’s aunt suffered a traumatic brain injury, the recovery process she witnessed first-hand gave her insight into her future career.
Academic path leads LaFleur around world
Jamie LaFleur’s road to convocation has featured a few stops and starts and twists and turns, but most importantly, a long list of life-changing experiences.
Understanding and advocating for miyo-māhcihowin (good health and well-being) among Indigenous Peoples living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Despite research about inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the general population, there is limited-to-no evidence about IBD among Indigenous peoples in Canada.
Graduate college awards recognize Indigenous student leadership
University of Saskatchewan (USask) Indigenous students Indiana Best and Cindy Deschenes have been awarded $20,000 each by the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (CGPS) to...
New Indigenous Health and Wellness team to support health needs in First Nations and Métis communities
A new research group aims to change the narrative around Indigenous health and wellness by giving a stronger voice to Indigenous people.
Indigenous-led research centre to address HIV among First Nations, Inuit and Métis
The rise in HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among Indigenous people in Saskatchewan and Manitoba is to be addressed by a new $2.9-million Indigenous-led research cent...
Indigenous Wellness program receives national recognition for ingenuity and innovation
An online course designed to help shed light on Indigenous experiences with the health care system is being recognized on a national scale.
College staff to learn about Indigenous stories and experiences with health care system
College of Medicine personnel are now taking part in an online course to learn about creating a culturally safe environment for Indigenous people.
Culturally safe, positive, empowering birth
Saskatchewan mothers shaping research aimed at improving the birthing experiences of Indigenous women
Aboriginal Achievement: Award winner hopes to make a difference in her community
Medical student Annette Pegg grew up on Kawacatoose First Nation and in inner-city Regina where she witnessed abuse, addictions and intergenerational trauma. Her experiences have s...
Cross-continental connections
Support between a donor alumnus and student blossoms into a friendship
Online course promotes Indigenous wellness
Establishing a safe and welcoming environment plays a significant part in providing health care.
Medical students reflect on volunteering at FSIN celebration
As part of their education and training, medical students learn to give back and take part in community events.
U of S and James Smith Cree Nation explore joint research and health care initiatives
SASKATOON – The University of Saskatchewan (U of S) College of Medicine, James Smith Cree Nation (JSCN), and JSCN Medical Clinic LP have signed an MOU to collaborate on initiatives...
U of S to host CIHR Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health
The University of Saskatchewan (U of S) will soon become the new home of the Institute of Indigenous Peoples' Health (IIPH)—one of 13 institutes of the Canadian Institutes of Healt...
U of S to host scholars from New Zealand
A delegation of a dozen Maori scholars and artists from New Zealand will visit the University of Saskatchewan campus later this month as part of an international trip to Canada.
U of S awarded $2.4M for Indigenous healthcare, stroke recovery, and cancer research
SASKATOON – Two Indigenous health initiatives are among four University of Saskatchewan (U of S) research projects awarded more than $2.4 million by the Canadian Institutes for Hea...
Seven CoM researchers earn SHRF Collaborative Innovation Development grants
Total of 12 grants awarded to University of Saskatchewan researchers
Kate Elliott is paving a path for Indigenous students in medicine
This week the University of Saskatchewan is celebrating the successes and contributions of Métis, First Nations and Inuit students, staff and faculty through Indigenous Achievement...
Improving Indigenous health
It’s been a busy first few weeks on the job for Dr. Alexandra King. But she wouldn’t have it any other way.
New Cameco chair to improve Indigenous health outcomes
The University of Saskatchewan has appointed its first research chair in Indigenous health
Medicine student honoured with national Indspire Award
Third-year MD student Josh Butcher was recently recognized as one of three national Youth Indspire Award winners
Focusing on mental health
Racheal Head is looking into the mental health care needs, and resources, of First Nation's youth
St. Denis-Katz leads class of Aboriginal MD graduates
The University of Saskatchewan helped change her life and Hannah St. Denis-Katz is now more determined than ever to help change the lives of others.
Arnault-Pelletier giving Indigenization a boost
“A few years ago we had three Aboriginal students in undergrad, today we have 31 - that’s a huge increase in a short amount of time."
'This is where I can make a difference'
When Dr. Lucy Nickel was completing her medical training at the University of Saskatchewan, she was doing so without the numerous Aboriginal role models a lot of current students h...
Rural family practice keeping CoM grad happy
Aboriginal health and scope of practice key to Dr. Schindel's decision to stay in rural Saskatchewan.