We did it!
I am so pleased to share that my doctoral research and thesis is COMPLETE! I successfully defended my thesis on August 29th, 2023 virtually and in person at the U’mista Cultural Center. I was surrounded by loved ones from our community in ‘Yalis, ancestors, and an amazing panel of academic reviewers, including my committee supervisors: Dr. Elizabeth Fast, Professor Jason Lewis, and Elder Katsi Cook. External reviewers were Dr. Michael Yellow Bird and Dr. Rachel Berger. In attendance virtually were 29 supportive souls, including many collaborators and leaders from the First Nations Women’s Yoga Initiative and Indigenous Yoga Collective. My defense was deemed unanimously successful and did not require further revisions! This is an academic equivalent to a home f*cking run!
Months later, I am still beaming with pride to be the first on my maternal side to achieve this level of Western education and a handful of ‘Na̱mg̱is members who have received their doctorate. It is always a good day to celebrate Indigenous excellence - especially in places where we have been historically as well as contemporarily excluded and marginalized.
G̱ilakas’la to all of the people who have supported me on my path - this was as much of a spiritual journey as an academic path. Olak̓ala̱n mu’la’!
Life Update
Current life update - I have resigned from the First Nations Health Authority and transitioned to an academic role with the University of British Columbia. I am now an Assistant Professor in the School of Community and Regional Planning (SCARP) in the Indigenous Community Planning program. Read more about this exciting announcement at UBC. I look forward to sharing more research, writing, and community connections in the coming months and years.