Navigating Mental Wellness: Indigenous Learners’ Experiences In Post-Secondary Spaces

Event Description

Description:

Presented by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) and Indspire – a national Indigenous charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis People – this webinar will explore Indspire’s latest research on Indigenous post-secondary student experiences, offering insights about the barriers they currently face and the supports they need to thrive. The webinar will delve into topics such as systemic barriers, cultural disconnection, and mental health challenges, while also identifying key areas of strength and resilience within Indigenous student communities. Participants will gain insights into practical strategies for supporting Indigenous students across institutional policies, programs, and practices to foster more inclusive environments where Indigenous students feel respected, valued, and supported.

Speakers:

Stephanie Cunningham-Reimann, Knowledge Mobilization Specialist, Indspire

Stephanie Cunningham-Reimann is a Knowledge Mobilization Specialist of Scottish, Portuguese, German, and French descent, part of the lineage of ‘les filles du Roy’. With a background in Sociology, Psychology, and Indigenous Public Health, Stephanie is passionate about fostering relationships and approaches to research that are ethical, respectful, and rooted in reciprocity. As a settler in this field, Stephanie continues to learn what it means to show up as an ally for her Indigenous family members, in research, and with society at large. With her work during her Masters in Yellowknife which inevitably brought her to Nunavut and the Yukon, Stephanie has a repertoire of lived experience as an allied researcher. She has been guided by Chiefs, Elders, and community leaders, and her time spent in ceremony and on the land has deeply shaped how she understands her role in this work. These experiences continue to shape how she approaches research and what meaningful partnership looks like – centering respect, listening, and two-way knowledge exchanges.

Laura Mullaly, Manager, MHCC

Laura is passionate about health equity and mobilizing change in the health and mental health sector.  Since joining the MHCC in 2016, she has led projects on post-secondary student mental health, psychological health and safety, and mental health and criminal justice. Laura holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Alberta and a Bachelor of Health Sciences from the University of Ottawa.

Sarah Ferguson, Program Manager, MHCC

Sarah has supported awareness and implementation of the National Standard of Canada for Mental Health and Well-Being for Post-Secondary Students since 2022, engaging with post-secondary leaders across Canada to share ideas and resources that advance campus mental health and well-being. She holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) with experience spanning frontline roles and system-level work, informing a holistic and person-centered approach to her work.