Professor: Sessional Lecturer at University of British Columbia
May 1, 2012 - May 31, 2016
Ph.D. Candidate at University of British Columbia
Jan. 3, 2011 - May 1, 2013
Graduate Research Assistant at Canadian Institute of Health Research: Network Environment for Aboriginal Health Research
Vernon, British Columbia, Canada
bio
Boozhoo, Way, Greetings,
My name is Jennifer Leason and I am a Saulteaux- Métis Anishina-kwé and my maternal Indigenous roots are from Duck Bay/ Camperville, Manitoba and I am a member of the Pine Creek Indian Band. I now reside in Vernon and am grateful to the Okanagan- Syilx people for in whose traditional territory I raise my two sons (Lucas age 5 and Jackson age 3), live, work, play and study. I am a Ph.D Candidate in Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies (Epidemiology, Medical Anthropology, Indigenous Studies & Women's Studies) at the University of British Columbia Okanagan and my research focus is exploring the complex and interrelated social determinants of Indigenous women's maternal and reproductive health.
I am passionate about ending the negative cycles that have plagued my own family, as well as supporting and improving the health and wellness of women, children, families, communities and Nations. As an Indigenous woman, mother, sister, aunt, daughter, cousin and scholar- my idea for the Operation Blue Sky Aboriginal Health Initiative is to restore and rejuvenate Indigenous culture, language, ceremonies and practices to strengthen Indigenous identity, parenting and supporting women, their babies and their birth partners to reduce maternal and reproductive health disparities and inequalities.
Boozhoo, Way, Greetings,
My name is Jennifer Leason and I am a Saulteaux- Métis Anishina-kwé and my maternal Indigenous roots are from Duck Bay/ Camperville, Manitoba and I am a member of the Pine Creek Indian Band. I now reside in Vernon and am grateful to the Okanagan- Syilx people for in whose traditional territory I raise my two sons (Lucas age 5 and Jackson age 3), live, work, play and study. I am a Ph.D Candidate in Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies (Epidemiology, Medical Anthropology, Indigenous Studies & Women's Studies) at the University of British Columbia Okanagan and my research focus is exploring the complex and interrelated social determinants of Indigenous women's maternal and reproductive health.
I am passionate about ending the negative cycles that have plagued my own family, as well as supporting and improving the health and wellness of women, children, families, communities and Nations. As an Indigenous woman, mother, sister, aunt, daughter, cousin and scholar- my idea for the Operation Blue Sky Aboriginal Health Initiative is to restore and rejuvenate Indigenous culture, language, ceremonies and practices to strengthen Indigenous identity, parenting and supporting women, their babies and their birth partners to reduce maternal and reproductive health disparities and inequalities.