Keynote Bios - Research Week 2023

Darlene Sanderson – UNBC Associate Professor, Chair, Indigenous Environmental Health Darlene Sanderson

News Release: Caring for our waterways

Dr. Sanderson is of Cree ancestry from Northern Manitoba and has worked with many First Nations worldwide and locally, on Indigenous water laws, enhancing language and cultural knowledge, and selfdetermination in research design and delivery.
Dr. Sanderson began her professional career as a Registered Nurse following a BScN from the University of Alberta. She then went on to a MA in the School of Youth and Care at the University of Victoria, and finally a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies from Simon Fraser University. Dr. Sanderson is dedicated to uplifting Indigenous peoples through research. Her work connects Indigenous health, education, and law - often through research involving water. She is PI or Co-PI on numerous research projects including recent SSHRC and CIHR projects on Water Guardians aimed at enhancing language and cultural knowledge of Indigenous youth, emphasizing the value of traditional knowledge, the interactions between health of the land and health of Elders, and work on proactive assertion of Indigenous water laws. Dr. Sanderson has worked with local Indigenous communities, including recent work with the Secwépemc, and with Indigenous peoples across the world. She was the Indigenous Focal Point and an invited panelist at the 8th World Water Forum in 2018 in Brazil. She has supported Indigenization of nursing curriculum, implemented on-the-land experiences for nursing students, and has published on the scholarship of teaching and learning.
 


Tamara Archie - Communications, Community Engagement, Education & Outreach (CCEEO) Manager Tamara Archie

Tamara Archie is Secwépemc from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (SXFN). Raised in community, Tamara developed land knowledge and cultural practices from parents, family, and Elders. Her lived experience as Treat Manager & as elected Councillor for SXFN, she developed skills in community engagement, project management and communications. Tamara applied that skill to portfolios for Fisheries & Natural Resources, Social Development, Housing and Treaty Negotiations. Tamara is passionate about standing up Secwépemc Culture, Language, Law and Governance. Outside of the office, Tamara always enjoys spending time with her parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews, and continues to explore ways to improve herself in all areas of life.
 


Lynn Morrison - CCEEO Intern Research Assistant Lynn Morrison

Lynn Morrison is a member of Simpcw First Nations and a guest learning on Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc.  She is currently a student in her final year studying psychology at Thompson Rivers University, hoping to continue her lifelong education in Health and Wellness to share and advocate with communities. Recent years provided the opportunity to work as an Archeology field technician in Nlaka'pamux and Secwepemcúl'ecw.  Returning to the land was healing and holding her first lithic highlighted the importance of preserving Indigenous knowledge and autonomy for future generations to learn from the land directly. Lynn hopes to incorporate a western understanding of wellness and Indigenous connection to emphasize the relationship between the land, individual and community.
 


Johanna Sam - Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia - Tletinqox teamJohanna Sam

Hunelhyad? Sid Dr. Johanna Sam sets’edinh. Sid Tŝilhqot’in xaghiyah. Sid Musqueam nen ŝidah as. My name is Dr. Johanna Sam. I am a proud citizen of Tŝilhqot’in Nation. I currently live and work on the traditional lands of the Musqueam People.

I am an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia. Realizing the importance of a strength-based approach, I am involved in creating youth-friendly educational and mental health resources. My research explores the relationships among cyberaggression, resiliency, academic achievement, and wellness. My research and teaching not only utilizes technology, but approaches those digital tools from Indigenous perspectives.

Scholarly Interests: Adolesence, Indigenous Pedagogies and Methodologies, Cyberaggression,  Social and Emotional Learning, Digital Pedagogies.


Blaine Grinder - Research Coordinator, Tl’etinqox Research TeamBlaine Grinder

I am a proud Tsilhqot'in Indigenous Educator, Leader, land defender for my Nation. I enjoy researching with issue that are impacting our Tsilhqot’in Nation and communities. I also have years of experience on making decisions on the stewardship of our lands and waters engaging with all levels of governments Colonial and Indigenous. I am currently learning my Tsilhqot’in language, culture and teaching workshops and classes as requested. I am also a consultant and Advisor for my Nation and work with youth on land-based initiatives like climate change. 


Paul Grinder - Tl’etinqox Research Team
Language translation, interviewer, leadership


Patsy Grinder - Tl’etinqox Research Team Patsy Grinder
Language translation, interviewer, educator

My name is Patsy Grinder. I live in Tl'etinqox and teaching Chilcotin Language.  I have been teaching over 30 years and I love my job and I love being a fluent speaker. Very honoured to be a part of the Tletinqox research team. Sechanalyagh.
 


Angie Stump - Elder, Tl’etinqox Research Team Angie Stump
Language translation, interviewer (open and closing Sharing Circles), organizing Elder’s Sharing Circle in their own homes

I am very honoured to participated as Tsilhqotin Knowledge Keeper with Tl’etinqox Research Team. My name is Angelina Stump. I had taken First Nation Studies with UNBC, and Tsilhqotin Linguistics with SFU.  I am fluent Tsilhqotin speaker which is beneficial to  communicate with Tsilhqotin Elders. Our Tsilhqotin Language is so unique along with our stories, legends, songs, cultural , land, water, and sacred sites.