Dr. Cari Dawn McIlduff BA, PhD

Dr. Cari Mcllduff was born in Australia to an Irish father and first generation Canadian mother who’s family ties are to Sweden. As an educator, researcher, and citizen in both Canada and Australia, I teach, learn, work, and live on traditional Indigenous territories that include treaty lands, unceded lands, and Métis homelands. I pay my respects to the First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Elders past, present and emerging. I aim to walk humbly and gently on these lands and with kin.

Cari obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology in Canada, with the support of the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award, and has worked in early childhood intervention in a rural School Division in Canada. She completed her PhD in Australia exploring best practice methods and cultural safety in working with Indigenous Peoples. 

Cari has authored a parenting module for families who have or are experiencing trauma and/or toxic stress within the Positive Parenting Program. She co-developed, evaluated and authored the Model of Engaging Communities Collaboratively with Indigenous communities across five countries; a model of culturally safe methodology for community capacity building and social change that was piloted across 42 communities in the Kimberley region of north Western Australia. She is dedicated to working with Indigenous communities globally to support, promote and hold space for self-determination, community-led social change and research agendas for what is required in each unique Indigenous community.

Cari’s research interests are in mental health, epigenetics, effects of colonization that continues to oppress Indigenous Peoples globally, effects of racism, social change/justice, and child and family wellbeing.

CHEP 819 — Coordinated and Guest Lecturer 2021 Winter term; taught/coordinated 2022, 2023, 2024 Winter term, Guest Lecturer 2025

CHEP 824 – Co-teaching 2023, 2024 Fall term

CHEP 402 — Teaching/coordinating 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 Winter term

Bachelor Degree in Psychology – King’s University College, Edmonton, AB
PhD – University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD
Post Doc – University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD
Post Doc – University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK

• Hutchinson, P. J., McIlduff, C. D., Legare, M., Keewatin, M., Hagel, M., Chapados, M., & Acharibasam, J. B. (2023). Indigenous knowledge mobilization: reflection on context, content, and relationship. AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/11771801231198082
• Suleman, S., O’Brian, J., McIlduff, C., Benson, B., Labine, N., Khan, S., Tse, T., Kawchuk, J., Kapur, P., Abramyk, C., Reimche, E., Valiani, S., (2023). Understanding equitable and affirming communication moments and relationship milestones during the intensive care unit journey: findings from stage 1 of a design thinking project. Can J Anesth/J Can Anesth (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12630-023-02456-9
• Sullivan, P., McIlduff, C. (2023). The long story of an Indigenous health research project. Healthy Populations Journal, 3(1), 55-81. DOI: 10.15273/hpj.v3i1.11486
• Sullivan, P., Starr, V., Dubois, E., Starr, A., Acharibasam, J. B., & McIlduff, C. (2023). Where past meets present: Indigenous vaccine hesitancy in Saskatchewan. Medical Humanities, medhum–2022–012501. https://doi.org/10.1136/medhum-2022-012501
• McIlduff, C., Starr, V., Acharibasam, J., Chapados, M. (2022) Engaging Indigenous older adults with technology use to respond to health and well-being concerns and needs. Healthcare Management Forum, 34(5). https://doi.org/10.1177/08404704221103521
• McIlduff, C.D., Turner, K., Davies, J., Carter, E., Thomas, S., Andersson, E., Hand, M., Einfeld, S. ., & Elliott, E. (2022). Embedding the Model of Engaging with Communities Collaboratively (MECC) in the Jandu Yani U (For All Families) Project in Aboriginal communities of the Fitzroy Valley, Western Australia. International Journal of Critical Indigenous Studies, 15(1), 101-118. https://doi.org/10.5204/ijcis.2314
• McIlduff, C.D., Andersson, E., Turner, K.T., Thomas, S., Davies, J, Hand, M., Carter, E., Einfeld, S., Elliott, E. (2022). Jandu Yani U (For All Families): Tailored Triple P Training and Support Promote Empowerment in Remote Aboriginal Communities. Manuscript submitted in: Journal of Child and Family Studies https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-022-02355-5
• Bourassa, C., McKenna, B., Keewatin, M., Anderson, S., Legare, M., Hagel, M., Starblanket, D., Billan, J., McIlduff, C. (2021). “Restoring Indigenous Sexuality” in Teaching about Sex and Sexualities in Higher Education. Susan Hillock ed. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
• McIlduff, C.D., Turner, K., Sanders, M. (2020) Parenting through toxic stress and trauma. Positive Parenting Program.
• McIlduff, C., Forster, M., Carter, E., Davies, J., Thomas, S., Turner, K., Brown Wilson, C., & Sanders, M. (2020). Model of Engaging Communities Collaboratively. International Journal of Critical Indigenous Studies, 13(1), 45-69. https://doi.org/10.5204/ijcis.v13i1.1346
• Andersson, Ellaina, McIlduff, Cari, Turner, Karen, Thomas, Sue, Davies, Jadnah, Elliott, Elizabeth J, & Einfeld, Stewart. (2019). Jandu Yani U ‘For All Families’ Triple P—positive parenting program in remote Australian Aboriginal communities: a study protocol for a community intervention trial. BMJ Open, 9(10), e032559–e032559. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032559
• Turner, K., Hodge, L., Forster, M., McIlduff, C. (2018). Working effectively with Indigenous families. The Power of Positive Parenting. New York: Oxford University Press, pp.321-331

Book Chapters

• McIlduff, C., LaRocque, K., Hagel, M., & Acharibasam, J. (2024). Engaging in self-determined, ethical research with Indigenous communities: impact of food security projects with three unique communities. In Sage Research Methods: Diversifying and Decolonizing Research. SAGE Publications, Ltd., https://doi.org/10.4135/9781529692365
• Turner, K.M.T., Singhal, M., McIlduff, C., Singh, S., & Sanders, M.R. (2020) Evidence-based parenting support across cultures: The triple P – Positive Parenting Program experience. Cross Cultural Family Research and Practice. London: Academic Press. pp. 603-644. 
• Bourassa, C., McKenna, B., Keewatin, M., Anderson, S., Legare, M., Hagel, M., Starblanket, D., Billan, J., McIlduff, C. (2021). “Restoring Indigenous Sexuality” in Teaching about Sex and Sexualities in Higher Education. Susan Hillock ed. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. 
• Turner, K., Hodge, L., Forster, M., McIlduff, C. (2018). Working effectively with Indigenous families. The Power of Positive Parenting. New York: Oxford University Press, pp.321-331