How To Stay Connected
SAGE UCalgary is co-coordinated by graduate students, with support from the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and connects with students through both an in-person physical space and a virtual platform.
Angelina Adams
Angelina Adams is a member of Taku River Tlingit First Nation. Through work, school, and her family she has expanded her cultural connection, knowledge, and learnings. Focusing on her future goal of research in Indigenous healthcare focusing on addiction and mental health. Angelina graduated from the University of Lethbridge in 2023 with a Bachelor of Community Health Sciences specializing in Addictions Counseling. She has been working on a few research projects for the University of Calgary for just over 3 years. Angelina is currently completing her Master of Science, in Community Health Sciences with a specialization in population/public health. She is expected to graduate in 2025. Angelina explains that she has found a passion in research which is something she never thought she would. Angelina’s favorite part about research is the connection you make to participants and listening to the amazing stories that are shared. She hopes to focus her research on enhancing programs and interventions for Indigenous peoples who may be struggling with addiction. When Angelina is not at school or doing research, she will be on a walk with her dog Fernie or exploring with her family. Gunalchéesh (Thank you with respect)
Kayla Gale
Kayla Gale is a Cree-Métis artist born in Mohkínstsis | Wîchîspa | Guts’ists’i | Calgary, to a Dene-Métis family. They received their BFA at Alberta University of the Arts and are currently pursuing their Master of Education at University of Calgary. Kayla is committed to their community and proud to be involved with many grassroots Indigenous initiatives. They have received numerous awards for their leadership efforts, noteablely the Laurence Decore Award for Student Leadership and the Dr. Gary McPherson Leadership Scholarship. Kayla looks forward to learning alongside and celebrating the successes of their fellow Indigenous graduate students within their role as SAGE coordinator.
Deedra Salange Ladouceur
Deedra Salange Ladouceur is a multidisciplinary artist based in Mohkinstsis. They are recognized for their work that draws upon their Cree and Métis heritage. Their artistic practice spans various mediums, including acting, singing, podcasting, poetry, puppetry, and stand-up comedy, all of which serve as vehicles for storytelling. Deedra earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Lethbridge in 2017 and is committed to fostering diversity within the Canadian arts scene, encouraging others to promote themes of self-acceptance.
Currently, Deedra is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Creation and Research at the University of Calgary. Their research aims to contribute to decolonizing historical colonial institutions, which is a crucial step toward acknowledging and rectifying past injustices. For their thesis, titled "Ghost: Ruminating a Musing," they will explore the impact of erased colonial history on Indigenous students and the healing processes necessary for creating trauma-informed theatre.
Deedra emphasizes that sharing one's story requires both courage and vulnerability. They believe that empathy is an essential tool for building meaningful connections and aim to elevate not only their own narrative but also the stories of others. In their role as a SAGE coordinator, Deedra is dedicated to supporting Indigenous graduate students, ensuring that their academic experiences are empowering and promote healing, as they rightfully deserve.
Friends of SAGE UCalgary
Ashley Cornect-Benoit
Ashley Cornect-Benoit (Mi’kmaw, French and Irish) is a PhD student in the Community Health Sciences program specializing in Population and Public Health. As an academic and Indigenous health advocate, Ashley is committed to developing relationships with Indigenous communities across Canada to bring forth communally determined health initiatives that nurture intergenerational relationships to address health inequities faced by Indigenous peoples.
Kaitlyn Purcell
Kaitlyn Purcell (she/they) is Denesuline and a member of Smith’s Landing First Nation. Kaitlyn is a SSHRC-funded PhD candidate whose research centres creative and critical Turtle Island literatures. In 2019 she won the Metatron Prize for her debut poetic novella ʔbédayine (Spirit).
Resources
The following can support Indigenous graduate students in getting connected at the University of Calgary, identify funding opportunities and create connections to support the graduate school journey.
The AIM-HI Network represents a commitment on the part of established Indigenous, non-Indigenous health researchers and community partners to strengthen and provide new and expanded opportunities for FNMI mentees to pursue and succeed in health research careers.
The mission of the Calgary Indigenous STEAM Students Association (CISSA) is to promote Indigenous engagement in STEAM, facilitate learning opportunities to strengthen the campus community, and provide opportunities for professional development for Indigenous and non-Indigenous STEAM students at the University of Calgary.
Information for incoming, current, and completed Indigenous graduate students at the University of Calgary.
Walking parallel paths, together, in a good way.
The Office of Indigenous Engagement and ii' taa'poh'to'p guide UCalgary on its path of transformation, and communicate its commitment and responsibility for truth and reconciliation.
The University of Calgary's Indigenous Students' Circle. An all-inclusive club that serves First Nations, Metis and Inuit students through peer, cultural and community support.
The vision of the IPHCPR Network is to promote a renewed and transformed primary health care (PHC) system to achieve Indigenous health equity by advancing research that links knowledge to policy and practice, fomenting evidence-informed structural and policy innovations based in equity and Indigenous Ways of Knowing.
The mandate of Writing Symbols Lodge at the University of Calgary is to provide a culturally appropriate environment that encourages and supports the success of Indigenous students in their pursuit of knowledge and higher education.
Writing Symbols Lodge provides academic, personal, and cultural support services and programs to prospective and current First Nations, Métis and Inuit students, and offers a welcoming and supportive learning environment for the whole campus community.