We recognize the traditional, ancestral, unceded lands of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓-speaking Musqueam people.
Advisory Team
Our team consists of leading researchers, educators, and community leaders dedicated to Indigenous health and wellbeing. Our program is overseen by an advisory committee composed of Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars, Indigenous community members (including Indigenous leaders and Elders), leaders working in the area of Indigenous health and education, undergraduate and graduate trainees, and leading non-profit organizations. Together our advisory committee works collaboratively to consult and forge partnerships with multiple sectors, including: 1) diverse Indigenous communities and leaders in sport physical activity and cultural practices; 2) other experts in Indigenous health on campus, across Canada, and globally; 3) existing campus resources (e.g., Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology, Indigenous Initiatives, Xwi7xwa Library, First Nations House of Learning), and; 4) other campus research clusters (e.g., Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Health, Faculty of Medicine, Indigenous Education, Faculty of Education).
Indigenous Community Leaders and Elders
We are proud to support a truly participatory and co-creation approach with Indigenous community leaders and Elders playing leading roles in each and every initiative. We are indebted to their continued leadership and support. We would like to acknowledge a few of the key Indigenous community leaders that have been instrumental to our programming.
Dr. Rosalin Miles is Nlaka’pamux, a member of Lytton First Nation, BC, and Scholar and Research Associate within the Indigenous Studies in Kinesiology program at UBC. With Lytton Elders she is currently working on a children’s physical activity book in her native language Nlaka’pamuxcin. She is the Executive Director of the Indigenous Physical Activity & Cultural Circle. She has worked as her communities Band Administrator, and currently serves as the advisor for the Lytton First Nation, BC. She has volunteered with the Musqueam Indian Band for more than 10 years where she currently resides on their traditional territory. She completed her doctoral degree (Exercise Science) at the University of Central Florida with International Honours. She completed her Master’s degree in Human Kinetics at the University of British Columbia, a bachelors degree (Physical Education) at Trinity Western University, and a diploma in Physical Education at Langara College. She is actively involved in all aspects of our research and education programming helping ensure that we honour the cultures, traditions, and practices of Indigenous peoples.
Elder Gail Sparrow is the former Chief of the Musqueam Indian Band and was the past Musqueam Recreation Director. She is a current Board of Director for the Musqueam Capital Corporation and is the official Elder for Musqeaum welcome ceremonies. She is the Elder-in-Residence at Langara College and Advisor to our Indigenous Studies in Kinesiology program. Elder Gail Sparrow was born on the Musqueam Reserve and went to school at Southlands Elementary, Point Grey Highschool, and attended Bringham Young University for 2 years with a specialization in Recreation. She was also the Recreation coordinator for the Los Angeles Parks and Recreation for 5 years. She was also the founder and executive director for the LIFT Institute that specialized in computer software training for First Nation students in Vancouver, BC. Elder Sparrow is the past-president for the Native Investment and Trade Association, which is an organization dedicated to the economic integration of First Nations. She is also the past founder and president of the Salishan Employment Services which provided career support. In her community she has strong ties to the youth and has an open door policy at her home where she passes on her teachings of health and wellness for a stronger community. She is internationally renowned for her work to improve the lives of Indigenous peoples and is a strong advocate for Indigenous rights and welfare reform. She has been a vocal member of the Band for more than 20 years on social, cultural, and economic committees.
Chief Janet Webster is a Community Elder and current Chief of Lytton First Nation. Elder Webster is fully committed to enhancing the health and wellness of her community. She has been involved in numerous health and wellness community-driven initiatives and plays a critical role in the design, implementation, and evaluation of all our community-based and Indigenous led initiatives. She helps ensure that key community leaders, Elders, and Knowledge Holders play key roles in the direction of our initiatives. She also helps in the engagement of Indigenous youth and in forging greater inter-community partnerships.
Dr. Georgia Kyba is Northern Tuchone from the Selkirk First Nation in the Yukon. Dr Kyba graduated with a Naturopathic Doctorate degree from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, OR. She received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Victoria with majors in Psychology and Biology. She holds a BC license through the College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia, CNPBC, and is a member of the British Columbia Naturopathic Association, BCNA. Dr. Kyba is currently the President/Chair of the Indigenous Physical Activity & Cultural Circle. Dr Kyba works in Indigenous health seeing patients in several communities, facilitating wellness workshops and participates on the First Nations Primary Care Network. Dr. Kyba’s expertise working within Indigenous communities is internationally renowned. Her work with organizations (like the First Nations Health Society) highlighted the need for promoting traditional models of wellness for First Nation communities within BC.
Rodney Little Mustache is a Two-Spirit member of the Piikani Nation of the Niitsitapi Confederacy. Rodney is enrolled in the Gender, Race Sexuality and Social Justice program at the University of British Columbia. He was instrumental in the creation of the first AMS Indigenous Committee at the university that serves to create greater inclusion of Indigenous perspectives and to engage more Indigenous students. He recently received the 2019 Faces of Today award at University of British Columbia’s Student Leadership Conference for his important work in sex and gender equity and social justice. Rodney serves as the Sex and Gender Champion on all of our initiatives.
Staff Support
Kai Kaufman is currently the head Research & Education Coordinator for the Indigenous Studies in Kinesiology program. She currently resides and works on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) First Nation. She oversees all projects in our collective laboratories. She is a previous undergraduate and graduate student in the School of Kinesiology at the University of British Columbia.