Behind the Scenes

By Christy Bird, 1st year MDP student

Boozhoo! I completed my field placement and am thankful for the opportunities that I have had with the First Nation Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba (FNHSSM). I cannot thank my supervisor enough for sharing their wealth of knowledge with me and allowing me to participate in the great work that they do.

Aside from academics, I have also been homeschooling my two young daughters since the beginning of the pandemic. This past year and a half have been both challenging and rewarding. While remote field placement has been difficult in terms of time management, it also allowed me to remain home with my daughters and ensure their safety and well-being. The one experience that I did not expect was a great deal of “Mom” guilt. Pre-pandemic, when I was working on a timeline of deliverables, I would call upon my family and friends to entertain my girls while I worked, much more challenging during a pandemic. This year I had to be creative with our time, balancing academics, both mine and theirs, entertainment, social outings, and all the others that fall under being a mom, trying not to forget my self-care. I am thankful for a supportive husband who still cannot find the laundry hamper but is always encouraging and helpful.

The knowledge that I adhered to during my field placement has enriched how I view research, especially when it comes to research with First Nation communities. My field placement has also reinforced that Indigenous ideologies and research are not second tier to western concepts requiring authoritative figures to approve. Again, I am thankful for FNHSSM allowing me the space to learn and grow as the experience and lessons I have learned will carry me forward to ensure I carry a strong voice in the work I take on in the future. Miigwech.

Reinforced

By Christy Bird, 1st year MDP student

Boozhoo! I began my first field placement with the First Nation Health Social Secretariat of Manitoba (FNHSSM). I was thankful they accepted my application and allowed me to conduct my field placement with their organization. I was mentored respectfully and was able to be complete my placement with knowledgeable team of people that comprise the research unit at FNHSSM. I had the privilege to witness the great work they conduct with and for First Nation people and communities.

My deliverables entailed me to collect data on research projects that have been conducted with and on Manitoba First Nation communities. The objective was to determine research projects with open access and research exclusive to access only through academia and journals. I came to understand the importance of open access to research utilizing data from First Nation communities and peoples. It is imperative to ensure that data and objectives can enhance community standards and build upon more research. I have gained so much more understanding about the importance of data sovereignty and respectful practises and protocols that should be implemented within research projects when working with First Nation peoples. My time at FNHSSM allowed me to critically reflect on the importance of language and narratives when conducting research that is to be respectful and strength based. 

Aside from deliverables, it was great to have the opportunity to also participate in some excellent online training and workshops. The highlight was the annual NIBI Gathering which focused on birthing water and other water teachings. It was enlightening and opportune time to sit and enjoy with my daughters. I was also fortunate to attend OCAP training and other community gatherings occurring in the city of Winnipeg for the missing children found at residential schools. I appreciate the welcome and guidance I have received. Miigwech.

Working on Anti-Racism Training during a Pandemic

By Ali Nychuk, 1st year MDP student

Hi I’m Ali. I am a currently finishing my first-year as a student in the MDP program, my field placement is with the First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba (FNHSSM). Prior to COVID-19 I was planning to fulfill my field placement in New Zealand, however, due to the novel virus I continued my work with FNHSSM. My position with the organization is as a research Assistant on a Canadian Institute of Health Research funded project in collaboration with the University of Manitoba and University of Toronto working on an Indigenous-Specific Anti-Racism program for Physicians and Health Care providers. The training is an eight-week course with a 16-hour time commitment.  The distinctiveness of this training comes from its embodied two eyed seeing approach that uses the biomedical model of learning of “see one, do one, teach one” and self-reflexivity.

I personally find this work as heart-work as a white in passing Indigenous person I feel like it is my personal responsibility to aid in combating racism in healthcare. I also feel like my work on this project pays homage to so many of my family members, friends, and relatives that have experienced racism when trying to access healthcare. I have been interested in this work ever since attending a lecture put on by the Brian Sinclair Working Group. Strangely now one of the speakers is my boss, it’s really a full circle moment.

 

TTYL,

Ali