The intent of the Indigenous Perspectives on Life and Holistic Health (IPLHH) research cluster is to support research efforts pertaining to the interdependence of Indigenous peoples’ health and the health of the natural world from the perspective of Indigenous Elders. It aims to reshape mental health research by highlighting the connections between holistic wellness, cultural ways of life, and environmental sustainability for Indigenous Elders and their communities.
From a traditional Indigenous worldview, mental health and holistic wellness must be situated within a larger network of social relations that includes both the human and more-than human worlds. Community-based research with Indigenous Elders must focus beyond the individual and extend our understandings about health and wellness to that of living “in relation” to all else, not just for the present but for the future generations to come.
Angela McGinnis, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Educational Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Regina
Noela Crowe-Salazar, BA, BSW, MSW, RSW; Doctoral Candidate; SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarship (CGS-D) 2022-2023 Recipient
Crowe-Salazar, N. (September 2020 – present). Visiting the traditional nêhiyawak, Anihšināpēk, and Métis life cycle teachings within Cowessess First Nation (tentative title). Faculty of Education, University of Regina (Supervisors: Dr. Angela McGinnis & Dr. Andrea Sterzuk). Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
McGinnis, A., Kincaid, A. T., Barrett, M. J., Ham, C., & Community Elders Research Advisory Group. (2019). Strengthening animal-human relationships as a doorway to Indigenous holistic wellness. Ecopsychology, 11(3), 162-173. https://doi.org/10.1089/eco.2019.0003
Crowe-Salazar, N. (2007). Exploring the experiences of an Elder, a psychologist and psychiatrist: How can traditional practices and healers complement existing practices in mental health? First Peoples Child & Family Review, 3(4), 83-95. https://fpcfr.com/index.php/FPCFR/article/view/63/101
For more information, contact Alli Allen, IPLHH Community Research Associate, at iplhhresearchcluster@gmail.com.
We just published a state of the art systematic review of pain assessment tools for people living with severe dementia. We provided recommendations for the most supported tools @AIGMcLennan @UofRegina https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272735826000139?via%3Dihub
The Winter 2026 CAH Newsletter has stories about:
Research on menopause with Canada Research Chair Dr. Jennifer Gordon, upcoming CAH spring public events, CAH relaunching research participant pool, CAH Director inducted as Fellow of the RSC, and more!
https://research.uregina.ca/cah/newsletters/issue-41/
Congratulations to #URegina's @DrThomasHadjist, newly elected as a Fellow of the @src_rsc. His groundbreaking work is improving care for older adults with #dementia and chronic pain worldwide.
📺 Watch the video below, and learn more in Discourse: 📖 https://bit.ly/3WWYQbC
Two #URegina researchers have been elected Fellows of the @src_rsc — the country’s highest academic honour. 👏
Congrats to Dr. @rncarleton and @DrThomasHadjist, whose research is improving lives across Canada and beyond.
Learn more in Discourse:
Two U of R academics honoured | Discourse Magazine
Two University of Regina researchers elected Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada
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📅 Mark your calendars! Join us on Dec 10 for a webinar that explores how building design & operation can protect older adults’ health against extreme heat and wildfire smoke events.
🔗 Don’t miss out—register today: https://shorturl.at/IQwQg
Deeply honoured to join the Royal Society of Canada. I am grateful to an extraordinary team of collaborators and trainees who have helped advance our research on pain in dementia. Proud of what we’ve built, and motivated for what’s next.
