Lifelong learner advocates for Indigenous peoples’ health and well-being
By Clement Woo
Sheryl Thompson, a Cree-M茅tis scholar and community activist, credits her university experience with providing her countless opportunities for growth and advancement, allowing her to support the interests of Indigenous people at 天美mv天美 and beyond.
A strong advocate for creating welcoming and inclusive spaces for Indigenous students at 天美mv天美, Thompson has served on the university鈥檚 Aboriginal Reconciliation Council, volunteered as a peer mentor, co-facilitated anti-oppression workshops and organized camps that introduced Indigenous youth to university life.
Last week, Thompson graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Health Sciences (honours with distinction), minoring in . Not only was she part of 天美mv天美鈥檚 largest Indigenous graduating class, Thompson also received the Gordon M. Shrum Undergraduate Medal, recognizing her high academic standing and extracurricular activities, which demonstrate her outstanding qualities of character and unselfish devotion to the university.
鈥淭he BA in Health Sciences has allowed for a lot of self-direction and personal exploration,鈥� says Thompson.
Her research with Kelley Lee and Julia Smith into the illicit tobacco trade in Canada led to the co-authoring of five published peer-reviewed articles, one of which was for her Honours degree. When Lee鈥檚 recently embarked on a new project examining Indigenous health related to tobacco usage and policy, it aligned perfectly with Thompson鈥檚 interests. She enrolled in the Accelerated Master鈥檚 program, which allowed her to apply 10 graduate units towards her BA while pursuing Indigenous health research.
鈥淔inding answers to puzzles and understanding why things happen the way they do has always been interesting to me and I enjoy sharing what I have learned with others,鈥� says Thompson, a mother to seven children. 鈥淭he net result is that I love doing&苍产蝉辫;谤别蝉别补谤肠丑.鈥�
As a MSc student, her interests focus on improving the health outcomes for Indigenous peoples by promoting Indigenous understandings and holistic wellness practices, including promoting the education of healthcare experts who work and research in the field.
Her long-term goal is to complete a PhD degree and teach emerging researchers how to conduct engaged, collaborative and meaningful research.
鈥淭he opportunities to advance reconciliation at both the university and faculty levels exposed me to hardworking, considerate, and progressive staff, faculty, and administrators whom all strive to create a safe and inclusive campus for all students.鈥� says Thompson.
鈥淭hrough my service, I have created connections to incredible people who in turn, have filled my 天美mv天美 experience with meaning.鈥�