Alanaise Ferguson

Dr. Alanaise Ferguson is an Indigenous scientist-practitioner and Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University (SFU). Her work focuses on decolonizing mental health practices, addressing colonial violence impacts in Indigenous communities, and integrating Indigenous languages into therapeutic practices. She holds dual roles as a clinician and scholar, emphasizing the intersection of psychology and Indigenous studies through community-driven research.

Her academic background includes significant contributions to Indigenous psychology education, including curriculum development at Brandon University, the Justice Institute of BC, and the University of British Columbia. She served as an advisor to the Mental Health Commission of Canada (2009–2012) and currently advises initiatives like the Randomized Controlled Trial of a High Fidelity Wraparound Project for Indigenous youth.

Research interests include identity reclamation, gang exit processes among Indigenous men, and the revitalization of Indigenous languages as healing tools. She employs Indigenous research methodologies, prioritizing community collaboration and culturally grounded interventions.

Dr. Ferguson’s service extends to trauma-informed workshops for schools, Indigenous nations’ mental health programs (e.g., Sto:lo Nation Health), and keynote addresses on topics like Indigenous women’s roles and historical trauma. Her work bridges academia and practice, aiming to transform mental health systems through decolonized frameworks.