A summer student position for a Health Research Assistant is now open for applications for a project titled: Digital Storytelling as an Indigenous Women’s Health Advocacy Tool: Empowering Indigenous Women to Frame Their Health Stories. Researcher Shelley Wiart of Athabasca University is Metis and a member of the North Slave Metis Alliance, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

The purpose of this project is to allow Indigenous women to share their traditional knowledge, and Indigenous healing practices in their daily lives and conceptualize their own health care stories and service needs. It will also educate non-Indigenous peoples on what traditional healing practices are for different Indigenous groups and how to bridge the gap, if it can be done, between biomedical western medicine and traditional healing practices. These digital stories will allow for self-reflection on individual and collective views on Indigenous women’s health and advance the understanding of Indigenous wellness. 

The Health Research Assistant position is funded by Hotıì ts’eeda, the Northwest Territories Strategy for Patient Oriented Research (SPOR) SUPPORT Unit, Researcher Capacity Development Funding.  Hotıì ts'eeda, established in 2016, is a research support center for community members, organizations and researchers involved in Northwest Territories health and health research.  Hotıì ts’eeda was created through a collaborative partnership of Indigenous organizations, the Government of the Northwest Territories, and research institutions.

Term of position

July – August 2019 (start and end dates flexible based on incumbent).

Job Duties

Reporting to the Principal Investigator, Shelley Wiart the Summer Student will provide general assistance, logistics, and research support, including:

• Supporting the digital storytelling workshop and knowledge translation session in Yellowknife;
• Liaison with research participants about logistics of the research;
• Set up the logistics of the storytelling workshop and knowledge translation session in Yellowknife;
• Transcription of the digital stories and interviews;
• Assist in the interview process of participants.
• Other duties as required.

Essential Qualifications

• NWT resident (can be attending school outside NWT);
• Interested in health and wellness careers and / or Indigenous health research in the Northwest Territories;
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft word, excel, and PowerPoint;
• Ability to work independently;
• Good interpersonal, written and oral communication skills; good organizational skills
• Able to work in shared office space environment;
• Must complete TCPS 2 tutorial course on research ethics (CORE);
• Must sign a confidentiality and consent form;
• Ability to travel to office site located at the North Slave Metis Alliance (NSMA) office building, Kam Lake area, Yellowknife.  

Asset Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in post-secondary education in health, wellness, natural science, education, communications or related field.
• Knowledge of / previous participation health and wellness programming with Indigenous women.

Application Process

If you are interested in working with Shelley on this research project please submit a cover letter and resume to Dr. Janelle Baker, Assistant Professor, Anthropology at janelleb@athabascau.ca

Application Deadline:  June 7th, 2019.