Pewaseskwan actively engages and collaborates with Indigenous communities and relevant stakeholders, including the College of Medicine, the University of Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Health Authority and additional collaborators
Pewaseskwan (the Indigenous Wellness Research Group) is co-led by Dr. Alexandra King (Nipissing First Nation) and Prof. Malcolm King (Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation). Alexandra and Malcolm started the research group in 2015 while working at Simon Fraser University (SFU), on the unceded territories of the xwməθkwəyə̓m (Musqueam), Sḵwxw̱ ú7mesh (Squamish), and səli̓lwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
On October 16, 2017, Dr. King was appointed as the inaugural Cameco Chair in Indigenous Health and Wellness at the University of Saskatchewan (USask). The research group expanded into Treaty 6 territory, where it was gifted the name Pewaseskwan (Cree for “the sky is clearing”). The teams are based at Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Vancouver, BC and the University of Saskatchewan (USask) in Saskatoon, SK.
Pewaseskwan actively engages and collaborates with Indigenous communities and relevant stakeholders, including the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Health Authority, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, Métis Nation – Saskatchewan, the Indigenous Peoples’ Health Research Centre and additional collaborators. These collaborations aim to understand the health and wellness needs of Indigenous peoples and the structural changes required for enhancing health outcomes, promoting health equity and shifting the focus towards wellness.
Utilising traditional Indigenous knowledge and medicines
The primary focus of the research is addressing the health and wellness needs of Indigenous people in a way that is culturally responsive and imbued with Indigenous methodologies and ceremonies. The research may include Western medicine, but the emphasis is placed on traditional Indigenous knowledge and medicines, recognizing their role in promoting wellness among Indigenous people in Canada.
The teams collaborate with Indigenous communities, supporting them as they undertake their own health and wellness research. Pewaseskwan takes a unique approach to engagement, relationships, research and research services – all of which enable Indigenous communities to do their own health and wellness research. Pewaseskwan supports them in developing their own research agendas and championing their needs, rather than waiting for researchers to initiate studies.
Mostly, the research projects focus on HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C (HCV), HIV/HCV co-infections or heart-related health issues, and others focus on land- and culture-based healing and knowledge. Pewaseskwan research is guided by etuaptmumk (Two-eyed Seeing) and Ethical Space, strengthening relationships, forging formal ties with Indigenous political organizations and creating partnerships with Indigenous communities and organizations. The collective effort has helped establish nationally recognized standards for conducting research with Indigenous peoples and communities while boosting Indigenous health research capacity.
$240 million worth of research projects
Pewaseskwan continues to make a profound impact nationally and internationally. Currently, it is involved in over $240 million worth of research projects encompassing various aspects of Indigenous health and wellness. Dr. Alexandra King’s and Prof. Malcolm King’s leadership, expertise and dedication have led Pewaseskwan to become a recognized and celebrated leader in the field of Indigenous wellness research.