The ASHS team is a dedicated collective working towards meeting the needs and priorities of First Nations, Inuit and Métis students; current and incoming, in attaining a diploma/degree within health sciences.  The team also engages with Aboriginal communities for their guidance on Aboriginal health education at McMaster.

 

Danielle N. Soucy, MA. , Director and Program Coordinator

Danielle N. Soucy, originally from Bouctouche, NB., is the Director & Program Coordinator for the ASHS office. She returns to McMaster from her role as Senior Policy Analyst/Research Officer at the National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) and Managing Editor of the Journal of Aboriginal Health. Prior to NAHO Danielle was the Ethical Guidelines and Knowledge Transfer Projects Coordinator for the Indigenous Health Research Development Program NEAHR (then ACADERE) Centre. She works closely with the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada (IPAC) / Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) collaboration on curriculum and recruitment and retention since 2005 and is a founding member of the National Indigenous Health Sciences Circle.

She's been an invited speaker for the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) Melbourne, Australia and has presented at major international conferences such as the International Network for Indigenous Health knowledge Development (INIHKD), Rotaura, New Zealand, the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE), and has moderated for the International Diabetes and Indigenous Peoples Forum and the Canadian Public Health Association conference. Danielle has authored and co-authored articles/chapters and technical reports in the areas of Aboriginal ethics, post-secondary education, knowledge translation, language and culture and community well-being.

 

 

 

Stephanie Morningstar, Communications & Liaison Officer

Stephanie Morningstar began her career at SUNY Buffalo in a Bachelor of Science program where she was a recipient of prestigious scholarships including the Buffalo News 4-year Photojournalism scholarship and the HSBC Earthwatch Fellowship. She quickly moved on to become known for her work in photography, writing, graphic design and web design for several local, national and international newspapers, magazines, journals and websites.  She has continued to express her talents through photojournalism, event production, web and graphic design towards developing her own production company.  She has over 17 years communications experience and 10 years administrative experience.

Recognized for her work in both Canada and the United States, Stephanie's goals are to integrate her writing, photography and design skills, with her event production and administrative expertise along with her Six Nations (Mohawk) heritage to advocate for the ASHS office outreach goals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elize Hartley, Elder in Residence

Elize is Métis Elder who originates from Manitoba and has called Hamilton, Ontario home for many years.  Ms. Hartley has a long history of dedication to education for all Aboriginal students and can be seen as one of Aboriginal post-secondary educations greatest champions.  Ms. Hartley continues to work at the local, regional and national level for Métis People and Métis women.  She is the founder and President of the Métis Woman's Healing Circle and the recipient of the 2006 Hamilton's Women of Distinction Life Time achievement Award. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bertha Skye, Elder in Residence

Bertha Skye was born in Northern Saskatchewan to Cree parents. She started cooking foods at Residential Schools at the age of seventeen until she was twenty-seven. She is married to Hubert Skye, and they have raised five children and six grandchildren. In 1992, Bertha was selected to compete in the World Culinary Olympics held in Frankfurt, Germany.  Bertha's team received 7 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze medals.  Since then she taught traditional cooking to young women and women with diabetes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tristan Alie, MD., Aboriginal Mentor

Dr. Tristan MacKay Alie hails from the Outaouais region in Western Quebec.  His roots are partly Algonquin, from the Kitigan Zibi Reserve near Maniwaki, QC.  Tristan graduated from the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine in 2009 and is currently a resident in the Department of Anesthesiology at McMaster University.  Prior to medical school, Tristan graduated from the University of Ottawa in Biology/Biotechnology and went on to complete a Master's in Human Genetics at McGill University, Montreal, QC.  Tristan's academic interests include medical education, critical care medicine, pain management and palliative care.  In his spare time, he enjoys the outdoors including camping, hiking, skiing as well as travelling and photography.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Melinda Fowler, MD., Aboriginal Mentor

Melinda Fowler holds a Bachelor of Nursing as well as a Doctor of Chiropractor and a Certified Personal Trainer. She is a member and co-representative of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada (IPAC) for McMaster University. As a nurse she was a member of the Ontario Nurses Association, worked in palliative care specific to Alzheimer's, Dementia and Parkinson Disease and volunteered for the Anishnawbe and Sherbourne Health Bus serving Toronto's inner city. She remained a practicing nurse until entering the clerkship phase of her MD program. Dr. Fowler is an excellent role model for healthy living for young Métis woman; in her spare times she is active in Burlington Woman's Soccer, the ASHL Women's Hockey, a natural bodybuilder and a national competitor in Powerlifter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jennie Anderson, BA, BEd, Aboriginal Recruitment & Retention Officer

As the Aboriginal Recruitment and Retention Officer, Jennie works to develop strategies and policies to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of recruitment and retention initiatives for Aboriginal students. Jennie completed a Bachelor of Arts in the First Nations Studies Program at the University of Western Ontario, as well as a Bachelor of Education in the Aboriginal Teacher Education Program at Queen's University. Currently, she is working towards completing the Native Counsellor Training Program, offered through the Ontario Native Education Counselling Association (ONECA).

Jennie is the third of six daughters to Richard H.B. and Cindy Anderson. She was born at McMaster University Medical Centre and grew up in Hagersville, ON. She proud of her diverse Mohawk, Anishinabe and European ancestry. Jennie has been fortunate to work in the communities of Attawapiskat First Nation on James Bay, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory on the Bay of Quinte, and the Gitxaala Nation in British Columbia.

 

 

 

 

Valerie White, Administrative Assistant

Valerie White is Mohawk, Turtle Clan from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory.  She is a mother of four from the ages of 4 to 19 and a skilled photographer.  She holds an Aboriginal Adult Education Certificate from Brock University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aboriginal Health Interest Group (AHIG)

The AHIG is a group of McMaster medical students dedicated to promoting an understanding of the health issues affecting Aboriginal Peoples and improving Aboriginal health through knowledge-based activities.   The ASHS office works with the AHIG group by; assisting them in achieving their goals, providing opportunities for the AHIG to take leadership in student driven Aboriginal health initiatives, and support for increased community based activities towards recruitment and mentoring of Aboriginal learners.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community Consultation and Collaboration

• Presidents Committee on Indigenous Issues
• Indigenous Health Educators Working Group
  
• National Indigenous Health Sciences Circle
  
• De dwa da dehs ney's — Aboriginal Health Centre
  
• Indigenous Elders and Youth Council (IEYC)
  
• Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO)
  
• Six Nations Family Health Team
  
• Six Nations Birthing Centre
  
• Mamisarvik Healing Centre
  
• Wikwekimong Unceeded Reserve
  
• Métis Women's Circle
  
• International Network for Circumpolar Health Research
  
• Indigenous Physicians Association (IPAC)
  
• National Aboriginal Health Organization
  • First Nations Centre
  • Métis Centre
  • Inuit Tuttarvingat Centre
• Journal of Aboriginal Health