Featured Student Profiles
Waneek Horn-Miller (September 2018-Present)
I am Waneek Horn-Miller from the traditional and unceded territory of the Kanien’keha:ka (Mohawk). I am currently residing on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg people. I am completing my MSc under the supervision of Drs. Warburton, Bredin and Miles at UBC. My life has always revolved around elite sports, family and advocacy of self-determination for Indigenous peoples. As a background, I was a member of the Canadian Women’s Water Polo team, who went on to win gold at the 1999 Pan American Games and was co-captain for the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympic Games. As an Indigenous Sports Advocate, I take pride in my ability to share my experiences with others to improve the health and wellness of all Indigenous peoples, especially in sporting environments. As a recent Canadian Hall of Fame inductee, I am passionate about empowering Indigenous youth, using sports specifically to help reshape experiences and feelings into achievements. Therefore, being a graduate student within the Indigenous Studies in Kinesiology program has offered me the opportunity to pursue research which directly aligns with my passions and beliefs. I am grateful to be able to work with Drs. Warburton, Miles, Bredin, Hare, and Norman on this journey.
Maddison (Maddi) Chow (September 2019-Present)
My name is Maddison (Maddi) Chow, I am Métis and currently reside on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) First Nation. I have recently graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor in Kinesiology in the Health Sciences stream and a minor in Biology. I have been fortunate to gain experience as a Work Learn student within the Indigenous Studies in Kinesiology program in addition to being a mentee in the Indigenous Undergraduate Research Mentorship Program (IURMP) working under the supervision of Drs. Bredin and Warburton through the Indigenous Health and Physical Activity program. Over this time, I discovered a passion for research and I am excited to continue my learning. The objectives highlighted by the Indigenous Studies in Kinesiology program ties my history with my educational passions. Furthermore, the research demonstrates direct influences on the Indigenous community – therefore this research holds a special place in my heart. I am honoured to apply the lessons learned within the Indigenous Studies in Kinesiology program during my graduate training within the Faculty of Medicine. I am also proud to continue working as an Indigenous liaison and community champion on the various research and education initiatives co-created by Indigenous leaders and Drs. Warburton, Miles, Bredin, Hare, and Norman and other collaborators through the Indigenous Health and Physical Activity program.
Kathryn Anderson (September 2020-Present)
My name is Kathryn Amelia Anderson, and I am from the Metis Nation of Alberta, Region 3. I currently study on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Before starting with Indigenous Studies in Kinesiology, I graduated with a Bachelor of Music from the University of Ottawa, and a Diploma in Music Performance Studies from the University of British Columbia. I am grateful to my former mentor, Jose Franch-Ballester, and the artists at UBC Music for their support. Now, I am thrilled to be supervised by Dr. Bredin and supported by the educators in ISK, including Dr Warburton and Dr Miles. I am also a Work Learn student and I have been fortunate to expand my research abilities and interests through the program. After pursuing the performance diploma at UBC, I discovered there was tremendous opportunity for research within the field of kinesiology involving musicians from the perspective of Indigenous scholars. It is important to recognize and pursue the understanding that many of the ways in which musicians learn and acquire their skills are reflected in Indigenous knowledge systems. The opportunity to pursue my research interests with this community is incredibly exciting and I am honoured to have the resources to bring my passions together. The initiatives and goals of the ISK community, supported by the leaders Drs. Warburton, Miles, Bredin, Hare, and Norman, offer an incredible platform for current and future work.
Shannon Field (September 2019-Present)
Taansi, my name is Shannon Field. I live, work, and learn on the unceded homelands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. I am Métis, Cree, and Swedish on my mom’s side, and Irish and English on my dad’s side. Under Dr. Shannon Bredin’s supervision, and with the support of other ISK leaders, I am currently completing my Master of Science in Kinesiology with a focus on how active play (including sport, recreation, and land-based activities) amongst urban Indigenous families is seen as a tool for health and wellbeing. I also work with the Aboriginal Health team at Vancouver Coastal Health where I am a co-investigator on a number of research projects related to Indigenous health. It is important to me to do research with Indigenous communities because I see it to be a responsibility to my community. I aspire to improve the wellbeing of my all my relations, while doing so in a way that makes sense to me and to the people who partake in my work, which means centering Indigenous research approaches every step of the way.
Gemma Tomasky (February 2020-Present)
My name is Gemma Tomasky and I grew up on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of Coast Salish peoples, including the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations. I am a white settler with Eastern European heritage. I graduated with a Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of British Columbia. During my education, I was fortunate to join the Indigenous Studies in Kinesiology research program, first as a volunteer and then as a WorkLearn student. I am passionate about encouraging individual and community motivation for physical activity. This research position has expanded my understanding of the need to be inclusive to the relationships between physical activity, health, wellness, and Indigenous cultures. I am grateful to the research team and the Indigenous communities for trusting me to respectfully share and support teachings and knowledges by co-creating various research and community initiatives. I am honored to learn and work under the mentorship of Indigenous community members, Dr. Warburton, Dr. Miles, Dr. Bredin, Dr. Hare, and Dr. Norman.
Delon Chan (May 2018-Present)
My name is Delon Chan and I am a first-generation Chinese immigrant who has grown up on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations. I am currently finishing up my Bachelors of Kinesiology in the Health Sciences stream at UBC. I have been fortunate to work with the Indigenous Studies in Kinesiology (ISK) program for the past 3 years, as both a co-op student and WorkLearn student. With ISK, I’ve had the opportunity to work on many community-based projects in collaboration with Lytton First Nation and Musqueam Indian Band, such as facilitating sharing circles to support the co-creation of an undergraduate course at UBC, and supporting an Elder to write his story about his experiences in the Indian Residential School system. I am grateful for all the community members who have welcomed me into their community and have given me the opportunity to learn from them and create culturally-appropriate resources to share Indigenous teachings. I would also like to thank Dr. Warburton, Dr. Miles, Dr. Bredin, and Kai for their mentorship, support, and guidance throughout my projects and teaching me invaluable lessons.
Victoria McMahon (January 2021-Present)
My name is Victoria McMahon, I am Dene from Deninu K’ue First Nation. I was born and raised on the traditional land of the Anishnaabeg including the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Pottawatomi nations, collectively known as the Three Fires Confederacy. I’m pursuing a Bachelors of Kinesiology in the Neuromechanical and Physiological Sciences stream. I am a mentee through the Indigenous Undergraduate Research Mentorship Program (IURMP) working with Dr. Bredin and Dr. Warburton. This summer I will be completing an NSERC under the supervision of Dr. Warburton. I’m passionate about physical activity promotion and excited to work in research with an Indigenous focus. I am grateful for the opportunity to work in the Indigenous Studies in Kinesiology program and learn from the mentorship and guidance of community members, Dr. Warburton, Dr. Miles, Dr. Bredin, and Kai.
Jocelyn Benji (May 2020-Present)
My name is Jocelyn Benji, I am part of the Tl’etinqox Nation and have Indian heritage as well. I have had the privilege to grow up and currently reside on the traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples of the Quw’utsun (Cowichan) Nation. I am graduating this semester with a Bachelor of Science in a Combined Major. I have had the fortunate opportunity to hold a WorkLearn position within the Indigenous Studies in Kinesiology program since May 2020. Within the various opportunities provided, I have been able to learn and collaborate with various First Nation communities, specifically in the study of physical health and the strengths of land-based activities that communities are using to stay connected during the current COVID-19 pandemic. I have appreciated learning about the diversity of First Nations knowledge in Indigenous health and wellbeing initiatives. These experiences tie into my education passions, of going into medicine in a culturally respectful way. I would like to thank Dr. Warburton, Dr. Miles, Dr. Bredin and Kai for their immersive support, mentorship, and knowledge that has taught me lessons that I will take beyond this position.