Spring 2025 Research Highlights

By Lil Crump

Interconnections

Building a more comprehensive understanding of the interconnections between Indigenous Peoples' reclamation of occupations, health, and individual/collective self-determination.

The research

The research of Kaarina Valavaara is intended to contribute to emerging understandings about how the occupations of Indigenous Peoples can counter colonized ways of doing and contribute to individual and collective health. Drawing on Western and Indigenous research methodologies, she hopes to comprehensively examine the links between government assimilation policies and the curtailment of Indigenous Peoples' rights to participate in health-promoting occupations. Kaarina's goal, she explains, is to help build a more comprehensive understanding of the interconnections between Indigenous Peoples' reclamation of occupations, health, and individual/collective self-determination.

Kaarina's proposed research comes from years of reflection on her advocacy work as an occupational therapist, where she sought to educate occupational therapists on the colonial context of occupational therapy practice as part of our collective journey of Truth and Reconciliation. "We know that the perspectives and experiences of Indigenous Peoples are vastly underrepresented in occupational therapy and occupational science," Kaarina shares," so I hope this research will contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between occupation and collective health, well-being and self-determination for Indigenous Peoples in Canada."

 She goes on to explain that healthcare providers, including occupational therapists, are aware that colonialism affects the health and wellness of Indigenous Peoples. Still, they are unsure how to understand and practically respond to these enduring effects. Informed by critical occupational science theories and Indigenous ways of knowing, Kaarina aims to better understand exactly how colonialism has impacted the ability to participate in health-promoting occupations so tangible pathways are created to better assert and support Indigenous Peoples' rights to occupational participation.

First and foremost, Kaarina hopes that her research will benefit Indigenous Peoples. She would like her work to help build upon the traditional and intergenerational knowledge that links Indigenous self-determination to health and well-being. She hopes this work will support the reclamation and resurgence of traditional, health-promoting Indigenous occupations.

She also hopes her research will support Indigenous and non-Indigenous healthcare providers and leaders in engaging in strengths-based, evidence-informed collaborations with Indigenous Peoples at both individual and collective levels.

Support

Kaarina was recently awarded four major scholarships for her PhD studies.

• Nova Scotia Graduate Scholarship $60,000 (over 4 years)
• Killam Doctoral Scholarship $81,000 (over 3 years)
• Scotia Scholar Award $75,000 (over 3 years)
• CIHR  Canada Graduate Scholarships — Doctoral program $40,000 (over 3 years)

At this juncture in her PhD, Kaarina shares, these scholarships have been valuable in providing her with the ability to reduce her time allotment as an Instructor within Dal's School of OT. "Financial concerns held me back from doing a PhD for many years, so having the financial stability from these scholarships means I can have dedicated time to focus on my studies and participate more actively in research projects." This freeing of time allows her to gain the valuable skills she needs through her roles as a research assistant. For example, Kaarina says, "I was fortunate to join Dr. Niki Kiepek and Keri Chambers and Dr. Ana Malfitano on a research trip to Brazil in December meant to build relationships and identify research opportunities to better address the structural determinants of health for marginalized people."  While in Brazil, Kaarina also had the opportunity to attend a graduate seminar course in Social Occupational Therapy where she made valuable connections and left with new ideas that may assist in effectively addressing the determinants of health for Indigenous Peoples here at home.

The scholarships also allow Kaarina to continue with existing collaborations and mentorship relationships among a growing and vibrant Indigenous occupational therapy community. Kaarina is part of a founding group that is creating the Indigenous Occupational Therapy Collective- a space to build Indigenous excellence in occupational therapy education, clinical practice, and research! (https://www.indigenousot.ca).  Kaarina mentioned that she would not be able to commit to her research while juggling full-time work. She is thankful for the donors and scholarship reviewers who saw value in her proposed research and are willing to invest in her as a doctoral student.

Kaarina finishes by saying, "Coming back to doctoral studies after many years away working as an occupational therapy practitioner and instructor has been a daunting, but exciting challenge. I feel very grateful to have the support of my supervisor, colleagues and mentors as I embark on my PhD journey!"