Melanie T. NelsonView profile
Assistant Professor
- Indigenous communities
- Indigenous youth mental health and wellness
- Inclusive education with Indigenous people
- +4 more
Melanie T. Nelson is an Assistant Professor in the School and Applied Child Psychology program at the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education, Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia. A member of Samahquam First Nation (St’at’imc Nation), she resides and works on the unceded lands of the Musqueam People, actively engaging with Vancouver’s host Nations. Research Focus: Dr. Nelson’s work challenges Western psychological systems to adopt culturally responsive approaches when working with Indigenous populations. She investigates Indigenous caregivers’ experiences in Western assessment/diagnosis systems, Indigenous youth mental health access in schools, literacy screening with Indigenous students, and inclusive education reforms tied to Indigenous education jurisdiction and treaty processes. Publications & Grants: Her 2022 publication Supporting Indigenous Mental Health explores culturally relevant interventions, funded by the Government of Ontario and eCampusOntario’s Virtual Learning Strategy. She teaches courses like EPSE 317 (Development and Exceptionality in the Classroom) and EDUC 442 (Supporting Indigenous Infants and Young Children).











