Blog post: 2018 Summer Student Reflections

Genevieve Bekale: Policy and Research Assistant

Genevieve Bekale is a Tłı̨chǫ resident of Behchokǫ̀ and a mother to five boys. She is currently a student at the Grande Prairie Regional College in Alberta in the Legal Office Administration Certificate Program. She has worked for the Tłı̨chǫ Government in the Department of Lands & Culture as an Assistant in Administration for Tłı̨chǫ Language Technicians, and now for Hotıì ts’eeda as Policy and Research Assistant. She is very interested in Tłı̨chǫ language, culture and way of life and wants to continue to be a part of promoting and connecting Tlicho Heritage with the youth, elders as well as others. In the future, she hopes to complete her studies in the Aboriginal Administration Program.

As the policy and research assistant, Genevieve supported Hotıì ts’eeda’s operations and administration.

Joni Tsatchia: Youth Engagement Researcher

Joni Tsatchia is a Tłı̨chǫ descendent with the Dechi Laot'i First Nations, from the community of Wekweeti. She is a mother of two. Currently, Joni is in her third year of the Bachelor of Education program in Fort Smith. She speaks Tłı̨chǫ fluently and plans to teach in the north, preferably in the culture and language sector.

As the youth engagement researcher, Joni spent the summer conducting focus groups and interviews in Yellowknife, Behchokǫ̀ and Wekweeti to learn about how Northern youth want to be engaged by health workers and researchers. Her final reports include a field report on hearing Tłı̨chǫ Youth Voices in Health Research and a best practices document on Wise Practices in Engaging Northern Youth. 

Roxanne Kotchilea: Website Database Researcher

Roxanne Kotchilea is a Tłı̨chǫ descendent, currently enrolled in the Social Work Program at University of Regina. Her future goals consist of obtaining her Bachelor of Social Work degree, and working in northern communities to overcome social and structural barriers that affect Indigenous communities.  

As website database researcher, Roxanne conducted research and interviews with health researchers who have past or active research projects in the north, to contribute to Hotıì ts’eeda’s research projects database. She also co-wrote and researched the field report on Tłı̨chǫ Youth Voices in Health Research and the summer student field report on Wise Practices in Engaging Northern Youth.

Anika Cockney-Goose: Data Access Services Researcher

Anika Cockney-Goose is an Inuvialuit beneficiary from Inuvik. She is currently studying Computer Science and Mathematics at the University of Ottawa. Her future plans are to work in Inuvik to develop her experience in computer science, and eventually complete a Master’s Degree in Computer Science. Her long-term goal is to work for a major tech company like Google, Apple, IBM, or Microsoft.

As Data Access Services Researcher, Anika supported the Data Access work at Hotıì ts’eeda and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.

Dehga Scott: Indigenous Methodologies Researcher

Dehga Scott is Tłı̨chǫ Dene and a mother of two. Her grandparents are the late Joe Suie Mackenzie and Julie Mackenzie of Behchokǫ̀. She is currently working on a Native Studies Degree with the University of Alberta. She believes that education is vital for the future of children and the generations to come. 

As Indigenous Methodologies researcher, Dehga explored various types of research methodologies used in health research in Indigenous communities and by Indigenous researchers.