Lunch ‘n’ Learn
Sharing Indigenous Health Research Across the Wabanaki-Labrador Region
Do you have a research project that you would like to share? Are you a student who would like to practice your presentation skills in a safe place? Or maybe there’s a new research method or skill that you would like to tell us about?
All you have to do is complete this form and tell us about your presentation idea!
Join us for this month’s Lunch ‘n Learn with Julianna & Daisy Peter-Paul as they share their presentation titled, “Digital Sovereignty: Cybersecurity as Resistance from a Wabanaki Perspective” exploring the intersections of community, continuity, and care through technology.
When: April 30, 2026 from 12-1 PM ADT
Where: ONLINE via Zoom (Please register by emailing wln@dal.ca for the link)
Featured Speakers:
Julianna Peter-Paul is a Mi’kmaq, Two-Spirit BSW graduate, filmmaker, and community advocate from Metepenagiag. Her work sits at the intersection of Indigenous governance, digital sovereignty, social work, and creative storytelling. She presents across Canada and internationally, sharing approaches that centre ceremony, sovereignty, accessibility, and the lived realities of 2S communities. Through film, poetry, and policy-informed social work, Julianna advances culturally rooted wellness, lateral kindness, and Indigenous-led futures built on relationship, responsibility, and care.
Daisy Peter-Paul is a proud member of the Wabanaki Confederacy. As a young professional from Metepenagiag Mi’kmaq Nation, living in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), her work is grounded in kinship, community, accountability, and responsibility to future generations. Guided by Wabanaki ways of knowing, Daisy integrates Etuaptmu'k in her role as a junior researcher with the AICH Initiative and IWK Health. She is completing a Masters in Counselling Psychology at the University of New Brunswick and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Native Studies, a Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Counselling, and a Diploma in Cybersecurity. Daisy will also be pursuing another Masters of Information degree with Dalhousie focused on digital innovation this upcoming fall. Her advocacy for Indigenous data sovereignty reflects a commitment to protecting Indigenous knowledge systems, nation led governance, and digital self-determination.
All are welcomed!
📧Questions? Contact us at wln@dal.ca
Atlantic Indigenous Mentorship Network (September 27, 2024):
Indigenous Journeys Navigating Academia: A panel of students from the Atlantic Indigenous Student Network
Presenters: Angelina Heer (Sucker Creek First Nation) and Jocelyn Paul (Membertou First Nation)
Date: September 27, 2024
Join Indigenous students Angelina Heer (Master of Education, Counselling, UNB), and Jocelyn Paul (PhD Candidate, Psychology, Dalhousie) as they reflect on what it’s been like to navigate their respective academic journeys as Indigenous students. They talk about challenges and successes, what they wished they knew before they started, balancing multiple roles at home and at work, and cultural responsibilities with expectations of their programs and share tips that they hope will help other Indigenous students succeed as they navigate their way through their chosen programs.
Poster can be found here.
Photo Source: (iWELL Project, 2024)
We know that there are some innovative and exciting Indigenous-led health research projects being conducted across the Wabanaki-Labrador Region (Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia) and we want to hear all about them! That’s why we have created the Wabanaki-Labrador Indigenous Health Research Network (WLN) Lunch ‘n Learn—to provide an opportunity for Indigenous researchers, students and communities share some of the important work they are doing to improve the health and wellness for Indigenous Peoples across the Atlantic Provinces.
Our Lunch ‘n’ Learn program is a monthly virtual gathering. Its goals are to facilitate networking, idea-sharing and to learn more about current Indigenous health research in the region.
Upcoming Lunch ‘n’ Learn Sessions
Previous Lunch ‘n Learn Sessions
Sexual Health and Gender Lab (October 22, 2024):
Indigenous Mens’ and Boys’ Wellbeing: Indigenous-Led Interventions Incorporating Cultural and Traditional Teachings
Presenters: Dr. Matt Numer and David Miller
Date: October 22, 2024
The SHaG (Sexual Health and Gender) Lab is situated within the Division of Health Promotion in the Department of Health and Human Performance in the Faculty of Health at Dalhousie University. The goals of the SHaG Lab are to advance our understanding of sexual health, to impact health policies and outcomes, and to provide a research training environment for students. Join presenters Matt Numer and David Miller as they talk about their project and what they have learned from it.
For more information about the SHAG Lab and its projects, visit their website: https://shaglab.ca/
Maritime SPOR Support Unit (MSSU) (April 24, 2025):
How the MSSU Supports Partnerships in Health Research
Presenters: Lizzie Lappin & Lisa MacDougall
Date: April 24, 2025
The MSSU supports patient-oriented research, or research that ensures people with lived experience are meaningfully engaged in shaping the health research that will be used to inform decisions about health and health care across the Maritime Provinces. Lizzie Lappin, Research Manager at the Maritime SPOR SUPPORT Unit (MSSU) and Lisa MacDougall, Patient Engagement Coordinator will share how they support patient-oriented research across the Maritime provinces.
For more information about the MSSU, visit their website: https://mssu.ca/.
A Wholistic Approach to Managing Stress and Anxiety: An Indigenous Perspective (June 26, 2025)
Presenter: Michelle Peters, Clinical Specialist, PhD Ed(c), MSW/RSW, BBA
What is stress? What is anxiety? Are they the same, or perhaps overlapping? Explore the impact of stress and anxiety on the mind, body, behaviour, emotional and spiritual self. Develop a wholistic understanding, and a personalized plan, on how to manage your stress and anxiety from an Indigenous perspective.
Michelle Peters is Mi'kmaq woman from Mi'kma'ki, and a 4th year PhD(c) at St. Francis Xavier University. She regularly develops customized workshops and training programs, and has taught courses for STFX, Dalhousie and St. Thomas universities. Michelle is a clinical specialist; her private practice is known as Etli Npisimkek Counselling and Consulting Services. She has been counselling and providing crisis-level support to Indigenous communities since 2012.