Exploring Health, Healing, and Connection

Wellness Promotion

We are a Network Supporting Indigenous-led research and collaboration in health care innovation

Indigenous communities continue to face health challenges deeply rooted in the legacy of colonization and disconnection. These challenges are not just about physical health; they’re tied to long-standing effects on social, mental, and cultural well-being. The impacts of colonization—such as forced displacement, cultural suppression, and systemic marginalization—still reverberate through communities today, often manifesting as health disparities, intergenerational trauma, and a loss of connection to land and traditional practices.

The IPHCPR Network is committed to changing the course of Indigenous health care by acknowledging these historical and ongoing injustices. We support research that focuses on restoring the health sovereignty of Indigenous peoples, while fostering environments where culture and community are the core foundations of healing.

Our team focuses on research that actively listens to Indigenous communities, respects their leadership, and seeks out solutions from within. These are not just theoretical concepts—they are lived experiences, deep-rooted in the desire for self-determination, dignity, and respect.

Knowledge Sharing & Collective Action

A gathering place where communities, health care providers, and researchers can come together to share knowledge and build relationships, all in the spirit of advancing Indigenous health care.

Here, you’ll find opportunities to engage with new models of care, explore solutions shaped by Indigenous values, and learn from community-driven approaches. This platform is dedicated to amplifying the leadership, perspectives, and voices of Indigenous peoples in health and wellness.

Core Team*

  • Lindsay Crowshoe
    Lead Principal Investigator
    Associate Professor — Department of Family Medicine, Assistant Dean — University of Calgary

  • Adam Murry
    Principal Investigator
    Associate Professor — Department of Psychology — University of Calgary

  • Cara Bablitz
    Principal Investigator
    Clinical Lecturer — Department of Family Medicine — University of Alberta

  • Michael Green
    Principal Investigator
    Head & Professor — Department of Family Medicine — Queen’s University

  • Rita Henderson
    Principal Investigator
    Associate Professor — Department of Family Medicine — University of Calgary

  • Stephanie Montesanti
    Principal Investigator
    Associate Professor — School of Public Health — University of Alberta

  • Amrita Roy
    Principal Investigator
    Assistant Professor — Department of Family Medicine & Public Health Sciences — Queen’s University

  • Tyler White
    Vice President of Indigenous Health — OKAKI

  • Esther Tailfeathers
    Family Physician — Standoff Clinic, Blood Reserve

Research Associates & Assistants*

  • Holliston Logan

  • Bridget White

  • Pardis Pedram

  • Jes Annan

  • Ashley McInnes

  • Emily Flemming

  • Sanchita Sharma

  • Elaine Atay

*This is a partial list—updates are on the way

For inquiries regarding the Knowledge Platform, please contact: Jes Annan — Platform Technician Email: jcannan@ucalgary.ca

Chokecherry A Symbol of Resilience

Chokecherry is an important shrub or small tree for many Indigenous communities in Alberta, valued for its nutritional, medicinal, and ceremonial uses.

Its berries, bark, and roots have been used for generations in food, healing, and cultural practices, symbolizing resilience and connection to the land.

Illustration by Simon Payne, for the Opioids & Drug Poisoning Knowledge-to-Action Hub
Contact: simonpayne4567@gmail.com

Exploring Ways of Doing & Knowing

Wellness is not one-size-fits-all—it is as unique as the individuals and communities it serves. Healing takes many forms, from traditional practices to contemporary frameworks, each shaped by culture, experience, and community context. What works for one person or community may not work for another, and wellness promotion must recognize and respect these differences.

In this space, we focus on person-centred approaches that adapt to the unique needs of each individual and community. This includes research on wraparound services that provide continuous, cross-sector support—emphasizing prevention, recreation, aftercare, and community-driven initiatives. Our work also highlights non-punitive approaches that create healing environments free of judgment.

Wellness is deeply rooted in the cultural practices, knowledge, and wisdom that Indigenous peoples have carried for generations. Pathways to healing are shaped by collaboration, respect, and adaptive solutions across sectors and agencies, driven by the wisdom of the communities themselves.

Terms to Know

  • The process of connecting research with action, ensuring that findings are shared, applied, and used to make a tangible impact on health outcomes.

  • Shifting research practices to incorporate Indigenous knowledge, worldviews, and methodologies, creating more equitable and culturally relevant studies.

  • Approaches that centre Indigenous knowledge, traditions, and community wisdom in health research and practice.