Megan Légaré and Allison MacLeod are the latest recipients of 鶹ýվ’s Rathlyn Fellowships, worth $12,500 and awarded annually to two Indigenous students conducting postgraduate research.
Légaré is a second-year Family Medicine PhD student of Kanien’kehá:ka and European settler heritage whose research is focused on the Nunavik Youth House Association, which co-ordinates youth centres in Nunavik and offers a safe and engaging space for Inuit youth ages 5-19.
MacLeod’s research centres on miyupimaatisiiun – which means “good health” in Cree – among inland Cree communities in northern Quebec. MacLeod herself is Cree and pursuing a master’s degree in Medical Anthropology.
“The Faculty Arts Institute for Indigenous Research and Knowledges(FAIIRK) is honoured to support the work of Indigenous researchers through the Rathlyn Fellowship,” said Noelani Arista, Director of FAIIRK. “Both bring to the fore the importance of enhanced communication and understanding for better health outcomes for Indigenous peoples in Canada.”
Making youth voices heard
Légaré is working with the , also known as Suilaaqivik, to enhance their program delivery, strengthen Inuit cultural continuity and meet the needs of youth. The association is active in 14 communities across Nunavik. She’s working closely with staff and youth in two of them.
“My main research interest is showcasing the voices of Indigenous youth,” said Légaré. “I want their voices to be heard and valued; to shape the services that affect them the decisions made about their health.”
Each Youth House offers unique programming, which may include arts and crafts, sports and board games. Staff are looking to add more diversity to the activities, including culturally relevant activities such as sewing and on-the-land outings.
“I’m approaching it as a facilitator of the dialogue,” said Légaré. “My process is very heavily rooted in listening and highlighting the voices of youth, staff, management and community members. If you have youth involved who feel a sense of belonging and a strong sense of identity – especially cultural identity – that can only be beneficial to the community and to the world.”
Whole health
Allison MacLeod’s master’s research on Cree health and well-being was inspired by two life events. The first was a 2022 hospital trip where the lineup for emergency care went out the door; the second was reading the book Being Alive Well: Health and the Politics of Cree Well-Being by Naomi Adelson, herself a medical anthropologist.
“The book inspired my whole thesis project,” said MacLeod. “I’ve always known Indigenous peoples have our own distinct way of understanding the world, but when it came to health, I wasn’t sure what it was. The book was eye-opening to me.”
Inspired to build on Adelson’s work, MacLeod is conducting research focusing on what health, care and medicine are from the perspective of Eenou (Cree) community members, Eenou traditional healers and biomedical health-care providers in her home community, the Cree Nation of Mistissini. She completed three months of fieldwork, conducting interviews at the Community Miyupimaatisiiun Centre in Mistissini and attending land-based traditional healing events throughout Eeyou Istchee.
“The state of Canadian health care is just in shambles – especially since COVID – and something really needs to be done about it,” said MacLeod. “Indigenous peoples are suffering from ill health and dying from preventable diseases at a higher rate than the rest of Canada, and as an Indigenous woman I feel it’s my duty to help.”