معرفی
Dr. Chelsea Gabel is an Associate Professor in the Indigenous Studies Department and the Department of Health, Aging and Society at McMaster University. She is Métis from Rivers, Manitoba and a citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation. Dr. Gabel holds a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Well-Being, Community Engagement, and Innovation. In October 2024, she was appointed as the Scientific Director of the Institute of Indigenous Peoples' Health (IIPH) with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), making her the first Red River Métis woman to hold this position. Previously, she led the Indigenous Mentorship Network of Ontario and co-led the Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR) National Coordinating Centre.
Dr. Gabel earned her PhD in Political Science and Government from McMaster University in 2012.
- PhD in Political Science and Government, McMaster University (2012)
Dr. Gabel's research program centers on Indigenous policy, Métis health and well-being, data governance, arts-based research, ethics, digital technology, and intergenerational relationships. Her work emphasizes community-engaged approaches that center Indigenous knowledge and self-determination. She has pioneered digital storytelling projects that document Métis experiences with health and well-being across the prairie provinces, creating culturally relevant methodologies for understanding Indigenous perspectives. Her research consistently applies the principle of 'two-eyed seeing,' integrating Indigenous and Western knowledge systems.
Dr. Gabel's recent scholarly output demonstrates a strong focus on Indigenous data sovereignty, Métis health policy, and digital governance. Her work increasingly integrates arts-based methodologies with community-led research, particularly through digital storytelling approaches. There's a clear trajectory toward practical applications of research in policy development, especially in areas of health care transformation, voting systems, and education. Her publications consistently emphasize the importance of community control and Indigenous-led research frameworks across multiple domains of Indigenous life and governance.
Dr. Gabel has received significant recognition for her contributions to Indigenous scholarship:
- Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Well-Being, Community Engagement, and Innovation
As Scientific Director of the Institute of Indigenous Peoples' Health, Dr. Gabel oversees research capacity development in First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. Her leadership extends to supporting partnerships between Indigenous communities and health research groups that respect Indigenous values and cultures. She previously led the Indigenous Mentorship Network of Ontario and the Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research National Coordinating Centre, demonstrating extensive experience in research mentorship and collaborative grant management. Her work has been referenced in policy sources, news outlets, and academic platforms, with significant readership on Mendeley and social media engagement.
Dr. Gabel leads several significant initiatives including the First Nations Digital Democracy Project and Indigenous Futures Indigital: Indigenous Storytelling. She has worked extensively with the Feast Centre for Indigenous STTBI Research and has developed community-engaged approaches to physical activity research through projects like 'Physical activity for Any-Body: Body positivity and inclusivity within physical culture(s)'. Her work often involves collaborative teams spanning multiple Indigenous communities and academic institutions, focusing on practical applications of research that directly benefit Indigenous communities.
