Our Team

Dr. Jeffrey Reading

Co-Director, Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, First Nations Health Authority Chair in Heart Health and Wellness at St. Paul's Hospital

Dr. Jeff Reading is an Indigenous researcher of Mohawk ancestry with more than two decades experience in enhancing knowledge in Indigenous health issues, both in Canada and globally. As the inaugural Scientific Director of the Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health at CIHR from 2000 to 2008, Jeff led a movement calling for a national advanced research agenda. Dr. Reading's research has brought attention to issues including: social determinants of health, health promotion and disease prevention, environmental health, heart health, diabetes, tobacco misuse, and accessibility to health care among Indigenous peoples in Canada.

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Anita Manshadi

Senior Research Manager, MPH

Anita Manshadi is a settler of colour with Persian ancestral ties who was raised on the Haisla territory and currently resides as an uninvited guest on the traditional territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən people. Anita is a recent graduate with a Masters of Public Health, specializing in Indigenous Peoples Health from the University of Victoria. Anita has over 6 years of professional experience working with First Nations communities and organizations, most recently at the First Nations Health Authority. She is passionate in exploring structural racism, embedding cultural safety and humility in health policies and systems, ecological health, and First Nations health and wellness indicators.

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Elizabeth Hunter

Research Analyst

Elizabeth (Liz) Hunter is Stoney Nakoda from GoodStoney First Nation located in Mînî Thînî, Alberta. She currently resides as an uninvited guest on the unceded and occupied territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. 

Liz is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree in Health Sciences with a minor in Indigenous studies at SFU. She has over 5 years of experience working within Indigenous health organizations, most recently the First Nations Health Authority. Most recently, Liz became a certified doula grounded in Indigenous teachings and worldviews.

She is passionate about exploring sleep, women's health, sustainability, biodiversity, disability, traditional food systems and Indigenous food sovereignty.

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Taylor Atwater

Indigenous Health Research Facilitator, Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Region

Taylor Atwater is Semà:th First Nations with mixed ancestry and grew up in Pemberton BC.  She brings a diverse background to her work with a foundation in clinical exercise physiology, investigating the effects of high altitude on the coronary vascular system in her undergraduate research to exploring the lived experience of First Nations in BC with diabetes with the First Nations Health Authority. She is currently pursuing her PhD under the supervision of Dr. Krista Stelkia, focusing on First Nations-specific approaches to ethical health research in British Columbia.

Taylor boasts over four years of quantitative and qualitative research experience, using a Two-Eyed Seeing approach throughout various projects. Her dedication to advancing the well-being of Indigenous peoples is evident in her passion for promoting cultural safety and humility, as well as her commitment to exploring structural racism.

Currently, Taylor serves as an Indigenous Health Research Facilitator for both the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Regions with the BC NEIHR and the CCAIHG. She resides on the unceded and occupied lands of the Líl̓wat Nation, where she remains deeply connected to this community.

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Jaqueline Dubon

Indigenizing Health Research Ethics Lead

Jaqueline Dubon is a Master of Public Health (MPH) professional with over 4 years of experience in community development and engagement, education, and health research with diverse communities both within Canada and abroad. She completed her master’s training from the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University.

As the Indigenizing Health Research Ethics Lead, she looks forward to contributing to the success of this project as well as collaborating with and learning from the team at the CCAIHG and its partners. She is committed to ensuring meaningful and respectful engagement with Indigenous communities, collectives, organizations (ICCOs), research ethics boards (REBs), and Indigenous health researchers (IHRs).

She is a first-generation Guatemalan-Canadian and currently resides in the ancestral lands of the Attawandaron/Chonnonton, the Anishinaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples and the treaty lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. She is interested in improving the well-being and health outcomes of Indigenous communities in Canada and abroad, exploring Indigenous health governance, and healthy public policies.

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Katen Kelly

MSc Student in Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology

Katen Kelly is Woodlands Cree with mixed ancestry. She is from Saskatchewan and belongs to the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. Katen is a Master’s student in SFU’s Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology department. She recently graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Katen is specializing in Neuroscience, and her research focuses on brain health in Indigenous groups. Her current study aims to improve access to culturally appropriate care for individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias. She believes that by creating a safe place for Indigenous people to share their thoughts and opinions on healthcare, we can generate positive change within our community. Katen is passionate and determined to encourage researchers, healthcare professionals, peacekeepers, and other members of the community to listen to the diverse experiences and knowledge of Indigenous peoples.

“ kikiskinowâsohtâkân – you learn by listening to people.”

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Keiten Brown

Indigenous Health Research Associate

Keiten (pronounced Key-ten or Key) Brown is Secwépemc from Bonaparte First Nation in the Interior of British Columbia, Canada on her maternal side and French-Canadian and mixed European Ancestry on her paternal side. She is currently resides as an uninvited guest on the unceded and occupied ancestral territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples, colonially known as Victoria, British Columbia.

Academically, Keiten holds a Bachelor of Science in Global Resource Systems with a particular emphasis on Indigenous health from the University of British Columbia. Currently, Keiten is a Indigenous Health Research Associate for the project titled, "Arram̆at: Strengthening Health and Well-Being through Indigenous-Led Conservation and Sustainable Relationships with Biodiversity."

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Tara Erb

Faculty of Health Sciences PhD Student

Tara is of mixed Moose Cree First Nation from Moose Factory and French European ancestry and grew up in Toronto, Ontario. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at the University of Victoria (UVic) and a Master of Arts in Sociology (UVic), with a research focus on facilitating Indigenous cultural safety and anti-racism training. Tara is currently completing her PhD in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University under the supervision of Dr. Krista Stelkia and with a research focus on Indigenous Cultural Safety in Research Environments/Structures, specifically ethics and ethical processes. Her research interests include: Indigenous health and wellness, Indigenous cultural safety, anti-Indigenous racism and social theory.

Currently, Tara is the Network Coordinator of the BC NEIHR residing as a guest on the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEC peoples territory.

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