TORONTO, June 11, 2019 – National Indigenous History Month in June puts a spotlight on the heritage, cultures and achievements of Indigenous communities.

It also provides an opportunity to learn the history of Indigenous people and recognize efforts to improve the health and well-being of Indigenous people, as well as their environment.

York University Indigenous experts are available for interviews on their research and work in Indigenous communities to address the health and environmental inequities in urban settings, reserves and communities across Canada. They can also speak about the connections between issues of health and environmental justice, and the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Sean Hillier (Qalipu First Nation) is an assistant professor in the School of Health Policy and Management in the Faculty of Health. His research focuses on how policy shapes and impacts health care for Indigenous peoples in Canada. He conducts community-based and engaged research with a focus on Indigenous methodologies and ways of knowing and being. Currently, Hillier is researching the impact of policy on health-care delivery in First First Nations communities for people living with HIV-AIDS.

He can comment on:

• Indigenous health and policy, and impact of colonization on health
• Indigenous peoples living with HIV
• Indigenous social determinants of health
• LGBTQ2S (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and two-spirit) issues in health
• The health and mental health issues in the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

 

 

Deborah McGregor (Anishinaabe) is an associate professor in the Faculty of Environmental Studies and at Osgoode Hall Law School, who also serves as Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Environmental Justice. Her research focuses on applying Indigenous knowledge systems to diverse issues including water quality, environmental assessments, environmental planning, sustainable forest management and Indigenous governance and justice. McGregor also serves as the head of York’s Indigenous Environmental Justice Project. Currently, she is conducting research on the practice and theory of Indigenous environmental justice and injustice, and Indigenizing the land management of First Nation lands.

She can comment on:

• Indigenous environmental justice and policy
• Indigenous governance and law
• Sustainability and water governance and security
• Indigenous knowledge systems
• The environmental justice connection to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

 

 

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York U's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.

Media Contact: Vanessa Thompson, York University Media Relations, 647-654-9452, vthomps@yorku.ca