YouAlberta
Carolyn Belanger
Carolyn Belanger is a PhD student in the Faculty of Native Studies, registered nurse (RN) and now Pierre Elliott working towards solutions in Indigenous health equity through self-governance.
In recognition of the vital and timely nature of Carolyn’s work, she’s being supported by prestigious awards at the 海角社区, including the Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Scholarship and the President's Doctoral Prize of Distinction.
I connected with Carolyn to learn more about her journey to doctoral studies, the topic of her research and what inspires and motivates her.
Nice to meet you. Could you please share a bit about your background and your academic journey? What drives you in your research pursuits?
My path to the PhD program in the Faculty of Native Studies has been a roundabout one, but it has generated the type of experience that compels me to contribute my insight back to my community in a meaningful way.
I’ve worked as an RN for nearly 20 years (my undergrad degree is in nursing from the 海角社区). I began my professional life in the emergency department, but since then, my career has taken me through a variety of settings, including inner-city non-profits, urban and rural hospitals, clinics and remote nursing stations. My role has spanned emergency care, public health, street outreach, community health and policy work.
Through all of this experience, I came to understand the root causes of Indigenous health inequity. My academic pursuits, including a master’s of public health from the University of British Columbia, have centred on ways to address health imbalances caused by colonization.
What are you researching? What do you see as the impacts of this work?
My PhD research brings together key concepts such as Indigenous resurgence, Indigenous self-governance, health and wellness and health system and policy reform.
To support a convergence of all these topics, I’m applying an Indigenous worldview to contextual knowledge. This will facilitate a better understanding of how Indigenous health self-governance, premised on resurgent values, translates the wisdom of Indigenous approaches to health and wellness into culturally relevant and contextually responsive healthcare services.
Ideally, this work will contribute to the discourse on Indigenous health equity and inform Indigenous health organizations on how to fortify against the influence of colonial health systems, which they have existed in relation to.
Has there been any particular person or experience that has inspired or encouraged you?
I’m inspired by the resilience of Indigenous people who, while living within colonial systems, remain steadfast in their own values and principles. Their commitment to living authentically and resisting dominant norms compels me to be of service to this cause.
I’ve had the privilege of working with and volunteering for numerous Indigenous health organizations and outreach groups that exemplify this resilience. These organizations insist on building everything they do on values like integrity, compassion, reciprocity and other principles rooted in tradition and natural law.
It’s hard work, but they refuse to be compromised by the pressure of dominant norms.
This unwavering commitment to doing what they know is right is profoundly inspiring and incredibly empowering, and is what propels me forward.
Congratulations on receiving a Trudeau Foundation Scholarship. How will this support what you're doing?
To be a 2025 Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholar is a tremendous honour and will be transformative for my PhD work.
Being part of an interdisciplinary community like the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, grounded in shared values, is a dynamic I deeply value for the supportive relationships it fosters. Engaging with peers and mentors from diverse backgrounds has expanded my capacity to advocate for Indigenous health self-governance through an exchange of ideas and perspectives, while enriching our shared knowledge.
The financial support is also crucial. Provided over three years, the stipend allows me to fully dedicate myself to my research. This includes formal research activities, but also gives me the flexibility to maintain my participation in cultural gatherings and volunteer work. This engagement ensures my work remains informed by community needs and aspirations on the ground.
The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation also provides generous yearly travel allowances, which support my ability to connect with geographically dispersed communities, allowing me to engage with diverse voices. This is vital for meaningfully contributing to the broader movement of Indigenous resurgence. The allowance also enables me to attend workshops, conferences and Indigenous culture camps, which will contribute to my growth on both a personal level and as a Scholar.
How has conducting research at the Faculty of Native Studies and the 海角社区 helped you work towards your goals?
Achieving my PhD through the Faculty of Native Studies at the 海角社区 is vitally important to me because of the Indigenous expertise available to support me.
Within the Faculty of Native Studies, I’m encouraged by colleagues and my supervisor to approach my research using Indigenous and decolonial pedagogies according to my own Métis worldview. This ensures I’m solving research problems outside of the colonial mindset that created them in the first place, prioritizing Indigenous ontology, epistemology and axiology in the research process. I feel this is ideally supported in the Faculty of Native Studies.
Do you have any advice for students considering research?
We all have unique gifts and experiences that can be applied to research, and this can position us to contribute to the world in a way no one else can.
Keeping this in mind, my best advice to any students considering research is to use your gifts and follow your passion! If you’re not sure what you’re passionate about, consider volunteering at a few different organizations. This exposure informs us about problems that exist and gives us firsthand experience to help us understand what solutions are relevant.
From there, it’s easy to become passionate about a cause, and it's a privilege to pursue what you're passionate about. Doing so will create research that's not only more fulfilling for you but will also genuinely impact the communities you aim to serve.