Oscar Labra

Oscar Labra is a Full Professor at the University of Quebec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT), holding the Strategic Research Chair in Indigenous Health and Perspectives. He is based at the Rouyn-Noranda Campus within the School of Social Work.

His educational background includes:

• Doctorate in Social Work
• Master's in Social Policy Analysis
• Bachelor of Social Work

Professor Labra specializes in Indigenous health issues with a focus on addressing disparities faced by Indigenous communities in Canada. His work centers on collaborative research with Indigenous peoples through a decolonization framework. His research interests span across Indigenous lifestyles, ancestral traditions, Indigenous knowledge in modern healthcare settings, and holistic environments for Indigenous community development. He approaches these topics through the lens of social work, emphasizing cultural security, self-determination of First Peoples, and the integration of Indigenous knowledge systems.

As the Strategic Research Chair in Indigenous Health and Perspectives, Professor Labra leads research across four main axes:

• Indigenous lifestyle habits and chronic illnesses
• Indigenous roles, ancestral traditions and life paths
• Indigenous knowledge in modern healthcare spaces
• Holistic environments favorable to Indigenous community development

Professor Labra serves as a research director or co-director for numerous graduate students working on Indigenous health topics. He is actively involved in multiple research networks including the Intersectoral Health Research Network of the University of Quebec (RISUQ), the Center of expertise and research in men's health and well-being, and the Quebec Intersectoral Flood Network (RIISQ). Additionally, he serves as a Regular Researcher at Vitam – Sustainable Health Research Center and as a Researcher at the CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale.