January 2024 – Cafe Scientfique Recap

Dr. Brendan Hanley

Elected as Yukon’s MP in September 2021, Dr. Brendan Hanley is bringing Yukon’s voice to the federal table. He is passionate about public health and climate action in the north and strongly advocates for solutions around mental health and addictions, affordable housing, and reconciliation in his political role. Before politics, he was Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, holding the position for 13 years, and culminating in overseeing Yukon’s public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. MP Hanley currently serves on the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health and is also a member of the Committee on Fisheries and Oceans.

Piper Fordham

Piper started at YSPOR in Dawson City as a Junior Researcher in May of 2023. She strives to support and create an improved healthcare system, incorporating Indigenous medicine and ceremony as a common resource within the Dawson Community Hospital. She enjoys learning and researching how ceremony can raise spirits and improve healing and health. She feels privileged to be able to support and work with local Knowledge Keepers to document, share and educate about the power that plants, trees, and berries hold.

Shellby Fulton

Shellby is a born and raised Yukoner from Faro, citizen of Selkirk First Nation, and Registered Nurse. Valuing health and well being you can always find her outdoors, hiking, camping, traveling, or adventuring with her family! Shellby became a Registered Nurse in 2014 and has worked in BC, NWT, and Yukon. Her healthcare career has encompassed acute care, rural ER, advanced practice in remote communities, health care education and health care management. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree, Graduate Certificate in Rural and Remote Nursing, and a Master of Arts Degree in Leadership. Through the lens of Yukon Indigenous female, health care provider, academic, and fellow Yukoner, Shellby aims to cultivate safe spaces where patients and health care providers are heard.

Syrena Oswald

Syrena grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba and has lived throughout the western provinces and currently resides in the Yukon territory. She has also travelled extensively and lived in New Zealand. For over the past twenty years she has been an educator and obtained her masters in education in 2016; most of her coursework focused on: andragogy, organizational structures and systems and vulnerable populations. Syrena has always had a passion for advocating for vulnerable people. She has taught, designed, and consulted regarding mental health and behaviour support programs for children and youth. Additionally, she was an Instructor in the BEd program at the University of Calgary and for Mount Royal University in the Educational Assistants program. Her work at the universities focused on Indigenous education, inclusive education, technology, and school health and wellness. In her early 40s Syrena was diagnosed with anxiety, panic attacks and depression. She was put on an antidepressant, unfortunately within 6 months she suffered a severe mania and ended up jumping off the Johnsons crossing bridge in June 2019. This resulted in additional diagnoses of Bipolar 1, PTSD and an eating disorder. These last 5 years have presented severe challenges but also afforded her the opportunity to focus on her own mental health. Her professional work and lived experience have provided her with a greater sense of compassion, empathy and understanding both professionally and personally. While her mental health journey at times has been severely debilitating it has provided her with a profound understanding regarding the effects of living with mental health disorders; leaving her humbled. She knows from the research and her lived experience that patient-oriented research is one of the most valuable ways for organizations / systems to support the needs for those with mental health disorders. Those who live with mental health disorders are experts regarding their daily needs, supports and what works for them during a crisis. She is excited, honoured and humbled to be part of the process promoting patient-oriented research being led by the YSPOR. Currently she works as a teacher on call for the Yukon Government and has been training in the field of Dialectical Behavioural therapy and will be starting her training program in Somatic experiencing therapy; two counselling modalities that have been instrumental in her own personal wellness. She will be opening her practice in the New Year!

Math’ieya Alatini

Math’ieya (Ma-THEE-Yah) Alatini, a proud member of the Kluane First Nation, embodies the harmonious fusion of a traditional Indigenous upbringing with a contemporary lifestyle, providing a solid foundation for her remarkable pursuits. Her passion lies in forging connections, sharing wisdom, and nurturing mutual comprehension. Math’ieya Alatini is synonymous with dynamism, action, and unwavering integrity. As an adept and seasoned leader, she is renowned for her pioneering spirit and a pragmatic approach that delivers tangible results. After two highly productive terms as Chief of Kluane First Nation, Math’ieya briefly ventured into the Yukon Government Cabinet office. She now dedicates her wealth of experience and boundless energy to her work for Canada’s Indigenous Governments and Northern communities through GSD Strategies and the One Yukon Coalition.