News

Dr. Katharine Gloade, PhD in Health
 

What inspired you to choose your field of study?

I wanted to ensure that the next steps I took for my career and education led to an area of work that would have the potential to be impactful, particularly for Mi’kmaw (L’nu) children. I chose this degree path to merge my experience in education and mental health with Mi’kmaw health, healing and ways of knowing.

My family, particularly my son, was a driving force and motivation behind this journey.

Who supported you along the way and how?

There are so many people to thank who supported me academically, professionally, and personally. My amazing supervisor, Dr. Margot Latimer and my incredible committee, Dr. Jeannie Shoveller, Dr. Krista Ritchie, and Mi’kmaw community member John R. Sylliboy. My family, particularly my son, was a driving force and motivation behind this journey. Everyone that asked how I was doing and continued to ask about the work, each and every one of my friends that were there from the beginning and those I gained along the way, my colleagues, and of course, my fellow Mi’kmaw community members, Msit No’kmaq.

Is there an academic or non-academic (eg: on-campus clubs, sports, employment) experience, project, or hands-on learning opportunity that really impacted you? 

The people I have met through this program as my mentors, colleagues, fellow Indigenous community members, Elders, and some who are now my close friends. These friendships have helped to put things into perspective more times than I can count and I am so fortunate to have them in my life.

Did you receive a scholarship, bursary or other award as a Dal student? If so, how did that impact your Dal experience and what did that support mean to you?

Yes, I received a Canada Graduate Research Scholarship—Doctoral from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and was an Honorary Killam Scholar. I also received a Dalhousie President’s Award and was funded externally by an Atlantic Indigenous Mentorship Network Kausattumi Grants Scholarship. This funding made it possible to concentrate on the key components of my degree, like the comprehensive exams and engagement with community for my research.

What does graduating mean to you?

I feel grateful that I have completed this milestone on a personal level, but more importantly I hope that my doctoral work might continue to shape early L’nu children’s education and research through an Etuaptmumk approach.

Dr. Katharine Gloade at June 3 Convocation (photo: provided)

What is next for you? 

I always like to think of next steps but for the first time in my educational journey I am trying to relax into this milestone for a bit. I do hope to continue my research at some point and explore post-doctoral opportunities that will enhance the prioritization of Mi’kmaw education worldviews and Etuaptmumk approaches. In the immediate future, I will be continuing to instruct Introduction to Cultural Safety in Healthcare for Indigenous Peoples at Dalhousie University, and I have also taken on the role of Indigenous scientific director with the Research Nova Scotia Focused Research Investment, the Etuaptmu’k W’loti; a co-hosted project between the Atlantic Indigenous Children’s Healing Initiative (AICH Initiative) and Tajikeimik (Mi’kmaw Health and Wellness) at the IWK Health Centre.