Recognizing Resilience and Understanding Need
Team
About
Team
The RRUN partnership is governed by a Research Partnership Agreement between The University of Regina, University of Saskatchewan, QBOW Child and Family Services, Chief of Beardy’s & Okemasis Cree Nation, Chief of Piapot Cree Nation, Chief of Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation, Chief of Wahpeton Dakota Nation, and Chief of Wood Mountain Lakota Nation.
The activities of the RRUN project are directed by representatives from QBOW, each First Nation, and each University. These activities are supported by community research assistants and university student research assistants.
Community Representatives
- Elders Advisory Council
- Chiefs and councillors representing each participating First Nation
- Elder Eunice Bear (Standing Buffalo Dakota First Nation)
- Councillors representing each Participating First Nation
- Carmen Fourstar (QBOW CFS Executive Director; Wahpeton Dakota First Nation)
- Elaine Thomas (QBOW CFS Associate Executive Director; Beardy’s & Okemasis’ First Nation)
- Isidore Poorman (QBOW Child and Family Services, Cultural Liaison Supervisor)
- Brock McLeod-Waditika (Youth Representative, Wahpeton Dakota First Nation)
- Holly Rae Yuzicapi (Cultural Arts Educator, Standing Buffalo Dakota First Nation)
- Jesse Forrester-Tytlandsvik, (Educator, Tatanka Najin School)
Academic Representatives
- Dr. Elise Matthews, RN, PhD (University of Regina, Faculty of Nursing)
- Dr. Jan Gelech, PhD (University of Saskatchewan, Department of Psychology)
- Dr. Kate Neufeld, MD, FRCPC (University of Saskatchewan, Pediatric Rheumatology)
- Dr. Katie Collins, PhD (University of Saskatchewan, Department of Psychology)
- Dr. Monty Montgomery, PhD (University of British Columbia, School of Social Work)
- Dr. Andrew Hatala, PhD (Community Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba)
- Dr. Christopher Singleton, Psy.D, Registered Doctoral Psychologist (Child and Developmental Psychology, Saskatchewan Health Authority)
Elise Matthews, PhD, RN
Project Director
Elise is a Registered Nurse and Associate Professor in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Regina. Her program of research focuses on the social and cultural context of childhood disability, mental health, and family experiences; impacts of childhood trauma; and critical approaches to conceptualizing “culture” in nursing education.
Jan Gelech, PhD
Project Co-Director
Jan is a lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the University of Saskatchewan. She has worked on projects exploring personal and social aspects of disability experience amongst individuals with acquired brain injuries, physical impairments, inflammatory bowel disease, and cognitive deficits. She is trained and experienced in person-centered ethnographic methods, participatory action research, and critical analyses of health and social service systems.
Kate Neufeld, MD, FRCPC
Dr. Neufeld is a pediatric rheumatologist at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon, SK and is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Neufeld graduated from the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine, and completed pediatric residency at U of S. She completed a fellowship in pediatric rheumatology at the University of Toronto (Hospital For Sick Children). Dr Neufeld’s research background is in mental health in childhood lupus, and psychosocial factors in juvenile idiopathic arthritis. She is a member of the Canadian Rheumatology Association, Canadian Alliance of Pediatric Rheumatology Investigators (CAPRI), and University of Saskatchewan Pediatric Rheumatology Research IDEA Lab. 
Whitney Ogle
Research Assistant
My Lakota name is Wíŋyaŋ Wašte – which translates to Good Woman. This name was gifted to me on the day I was born from my Unci (Grandmother), Toniya Wakanwin (Holy Breath / Elizabeth Lecaine). This name is my protocol on how to conduct myself on Unci Maka (Mother Earth), within ceremony and how I build relationships around me. I am humbled by this gift and try my best to walk as a good woman.
I come from the Hunkpapa Minicouji Blackmoon Lakota bloodline – my Tiospa (relatives) are the Ogle, Goodwill, Ferguson and Lecaine families. I am a proud member of the (Tatanka Iyutaka) Wood Mountain Lakota First Nation Band.
I am a proud Lakota woman who is dedicated to the New Buffalo (post-secondary education). I value collective approaches in the sustainment of Indigenous methodologies and pedagogies. I have been taught that in everything we do, we must do for the sustainment of the next generation. Through education, I commit myself to sustaining our identity for our children. Some of my most cherished memories are youth culture camps – laying under the stars, sharing in wonderment together and connecting over our collective hopes for the future.
I bring a background of Indigenous social work and creating space in social service and post-secondary institutions for our ways of knowing and healing. I use both linear and circular ways of thinking, perception, and experiences to create an environment of safe and authentic learning and healing. I do my best to navigate holistic and atomistic thinking, connect with a range of peoples lived experiences and build a collective bridge to close the gaps between Indigenous people and Canada. I am a passionate spiritual being who is dedicated to improving the lives of all community members mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.