Roots to Wellness Research Collaboratory

Roots to Wellness Research Collaboratory Advancing health equity through decolonized research, community-driven practices, and culturally responsive approaches rooted in Indigenous knowledge.

World Environment Day 2026 This year's theme, "A Global Call for Climate Action" ( ), reminds us that climate change is ...
06/05/2026

World Environment Day 2026

This year's theme, "A Global Call for Climate Action" ( ), reminds us that climate change is not only an environmental issue, but also a public health and mental health issue.

For most of human history, people lived in close relationship with the natural world. In recent generations, however, the belief that we can control and dominate nature has contributed to environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and a changing climate that now threatens the systems that sustain life.

Young people are among those most affected. Across Canada and around the world, many youth are experiencing climate anxiety, grief, stress, and uncertainty about the future. Wildfires, extreme weather events, displacement, and environmental loss can have profound impacts on mental health and well-being, particularly for young people who are already facing social, economic, and health challenges.

At Roots to Wellness Research Collaboratory, we recognize the deep connection between environmental health, mental health, and community well-being. Supporting youth involves creating opportunities for meaningful climate action, fostering hope, strengthening resilience, and ensuring that young voices are heard in conversations about the future of our planet.

Climate action is mental health action. Together, we can build healthier communities, healthier ecosystems, and a healthier future for generations to come.

Okawimaw Kanosimowin (Mother’s Bundle): Indigenous Governance and Relational Models in Perinatal Care🎤We're pleased to s...
06/04/2026

Okawimaw Kanosimowin (Mother’s Bundle): Indigenous Governance and Relational Models in Perinatal Care

🎤We're pleased to share that Dr. JoLee Sasakamoose will be a speaker for The Birth Place Lab's Justice and Equity in Perinatal Services Hub Seminar Series on June 24th, 2026, at 12 PM PST/ 1 PM CST / 3 PM EST.

Learning objectives:
➡️ Understand how Indigenous governance frameworks shape culturally grounded models of perinatal care through Okawimaw Kanosimin (Mother’s Bundle).
➡️ Examine the Cultural Responsiveness Framework and its application within this model, recognized as a global best practice through the Nature Awards for Inclusive Health Research.
➡️ Identify practical strategies to improve trust, access, and continuity of care.
✅ Register right now here ➡️ https://ubc.zoom.us/meeting/register/xHY0nd_hT1unUk87uR2WMw #/registration

Birth Place Lab

🌈 Happy Pride Month from Roots to Wellness Research Collaboratory! 🌈This month, we celebrate and honour the diversity of...
06/03/2026

🌈 Happy Pride Month from Roots to Wellness Research Collaboratory! 🌈

This month, we celebrate and honour the diversity of identities, experiences, and communities that make us stronger together.

Pride is a time to recognize resilience, belonging, and the ongoing journey toward equity, inclusion, and wellness for all. At Roots to Wellness, we are committed to creating spaces where people feel seen, respected, valued, and supported as their authentic selves.

We stand with 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and communities as we continue working toward a future grounded in connection, compassion, and collective wellbeing.

Happy Pride Month! 🏳️‍🌈✨

🌱 Join Our Team! 🌱We’re hiring TWO Student Research Assistants (Indigenous Youth Programs) with the Roots to Wellness Re...
05/29/2026

🌱 Join Our Team! 🌱

We’re hiring TWO Student Research Assistants (Indigenous Youth Programs) with the Roots to Wellness Research Collaboratory at the University of Regina.

These two positions have different focus areas but will intersect through Indigenous youth wellness, mentorship, culture, and community connection:

🧵 Indigenous Youth Regalia-Making & Pow Wow Dance Club
https://urcareers.uregina.ca/postings/22222

🩺 Muskikiwak Oskapewak “Medicine Helpers” Indigenous Youth Pre-Med Club
https://urcareers.uregina.ca/postings/22224

These roles support Indigenous youth programming, culturally grounded wellness initiatives, mentorship, and community-based learning opportunities through the Nanâtawihowikamik Healing Lodge & Wellness Clinic and the Roots to Wellness Research Collaboratory.

We’re looking for caring, reliable, and community-minded students who are passionate about youth, culture, wellness, leadership, and community engagement.

✨ Gain experience in:
• Indigenous youth programming and mentorship
• Community wellness initiatives
• Indigenous community-based research and knowledge sharing
• Cultural programming and relational approaches to wellness

📅 Apply by June 5th!

Come be part of a team rooted in community, culture, relational care, and wellness.

University of Regina Faculty of Education
University of Regina

Join us for the next webinar in our Indigenous & Decolonizing Health Research Methods Training Series: Upholding Indigen...
05/27/2026

Join us for the next webinar in our Indigenous & Decolonizing Health Research Methods Training Series:
Upholding Indigenous Data Sovereignty in Practice.

Introducing a Relational Research Governance Tool Informed by the Cultural Responsiveness Framework (CRF) and Indigenous Cultural Responsiveness Certification (ICRC) to Research.

This session is designed to support researchers in upholding Indigenous data sovereignty across the full research life cycle.

📅 Date: Friday, June 12, 2026
⏰ Time: 1-2:30 PM CST
📍 Location: Virtual
🎙️ Presenters: Dr. JoLee Sasakamoose and Wendy Gervais
🔗 Register here: https://uregina-ca.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1N_JA3JjT065fhT3t4SCfg

The Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy “What We Heard” report reinforces critical commitments to Indigenous data sovereignty, Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), and community governance. But what do these commitments actually look like in practice?

✨ What You’ll Learn
• The difference between data management and data governance
• How to apply FPIC beyond formal consent
• Navigating data storage, repositories & secondary use risks
• What it means to be a responsible steward of Indigenous data
• Aligning research with Indigenous jurisdiction and governance

🧰 Featured Preview
Indigenous Research Data Governance Architecture
👉 Researcher Pathway for Practice Bundle
A practical, CRF- and ICRC-aligned approach to ethical decision-making, governance-aligned design, and accountability to Indigenous Nations and communities.

👥 Who Should Attend
• Indigenous researchers
• Graduate students & trainees
• Allied researchers working with Indigenous communities
• Health, social science, and policy researchers

💡 Why This Matters
Research is not neutral.
This session supports a shift from:
• Engagement → Governance
• Compliance → Accountability
• Policy → Practice

We’re proud that members of our team were able to attend the 13th Annual National Indigenous Physical Activity & Wellnes...
05/21/2026

We’re proud that members of our team were able to attend the 13th Annual National Indigenous Physical Activity & Wellness Conference at Dakota Dunes Resort near Saskatoon.

We’ve already heard so many uplifting stories from the gathering, and we know the knowledge shared, relationships built, and connections made will meaningfully strengthen their work in supporting community wellness.

Join us for an important conversation on advancing Indigenous Women’s HIV & STBBI care across Canada, presented by the N...
05/21/2026

Join us for an important conversation on advancing Indigenous Women’s HIV & STBBI care across Canada, presented by the National Indigenous Women’s HIV & STBBI Wellness Hub via the Roots to Wellness Research Collaboratory.

Unbroken Nations, Accountable Systems: Advancing National Standards in Indigenous Women’s HIV & STBBI Care
📅 June 4, 2026
⏰ 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. CST
📍 Virtual Webinar
🔗 Registration required: https://uregina-ca.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bGYoKfabS0-NrtUrWsVgPQ

Panelists: Claudette Cardinal, Jasmine Cotnam, and Jacqueline Flett
Moderator: Dr. JoLee Sasakamoose

Description:
The National Indigenous Women’s HIV & STBBI Wellness Hub is an Indigenous-Women-Led advocacy initiative advancing culturally grounded, sovereignty-affirming HIV and STBBI care across Canada. This panel brings together three Hub members to share living experiences navigating fragmented systems while advocating for Indigenous-Led, Women-Centred HIV care. Moderated by Dr. JoLee Sasakamoose, the discussion highlights community-driven solutions, emerging provincial approaches, and the need for culturally safe, accountable national standards shaped by Indigenous Women’s leadership and living expertise.

Mental Health Week (May 4–10) reminded us that connection is essential to our well-being. 💚Last week, our team and famil...
05/11/2026

Mental Health Week (May 4–10) reminded us that connection is essential to our well-being. 💚

Last week, our team and families came together to celebrate culture, community, and shared experiences—including a beading activity on Tuesday and a walk/wheel around Wascana Lake on Saturday. We were grateful to be joined by visiting Indigenous scholars from Alaska, Jessica and Jelly, and were happy they could be part of these moments of reflection and connection.

This year’s theme, Come Together, Canada, highlighted the importance of connection in reducing isolation and supporting mental well-being, both in the workplace and beyond. Taking time to foster community and cultural connection is an important part of caring for ourselves and each other.

Connection supports mental health. Let’s keep coming together!

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