Meet Our Team
Executive Team
Dr. Kimberly R. Huyser
CIEDAR Lead
Dr. Kimberly R. Huyser is a Professor of Sociology at the University of British Columbia. She is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation and grew up on the Navajo reservation in Arizona, USA. The central intellectual motivation driving her research agenda is to gain a deeper understanding of the social conditions that undermine health, as well as to identify the cultural and social resources leveraged by racial and ethnic groups in order to further their individual and collective health and well-being.
Tamara Chavez
Project Manager
Tamara Chavez is an immigrant settler from El Salvador with Nawa/Pipil ancestry. She is CIEDAR’s project manager. Tamara brings several years of experience in community-based participatory research, with a focus on public health emergency preparedness. Prior to joining CIEDAR, she worked as a Project Coordinator with the BC Centre for Disease Control’s Harm Reduction Services and as a Research Consultant for Harm Reduction International. In her role at CIEDAR, Tamara is committed to building meaningful relationships and fostering strong connections with Indigenous Peoples and communities.
Mary Jessome
Research Manager
Mary Jessome is a PhD candidate in the Department of Sociology at the University of British Columbia. For Mary, CIEDAR is a unique opportunity to work alongside Indigenous folk who believe that research can capture and amplify Indigenous voices. As CIEDAR’s research manager, Mary looks forward to using research as a way of sharing the stories of the different communities CIEDAR partners with.
CIEDAR’S Advisory Council
CIEDAR’s Advisory Council is key to the research activities and efforts of CIEDAR. They direct and guide our research and outreach efforts by providing expert advice, participating in all stages of the research process, and connecting us to community. Specifically, they:
are research collaborators;
are representatives of their communities as they contribute valuable insight into the needs of Indigenous communities; and
receive and disseminate updates from CIEDAR to their respective communities and networks.
CIEDAR P2 Advisory Council
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Dr. Belone (Diné/Navajo) is from Naakaii Bito’ located on the Navajo Nation and at the beginning of 2023 Dr. Belone was promoted to full professor within the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center’s College of Population Health.
For the past 25 years, Dr. Belone has been engaged in community-based participatory research (CBPR) with an Indigenous paradigm focused on health disparities with southwest tribal nations. As an Indigenous CBPR researcher, it has been important to Dr. Belone to integrate her own cultural and tribal knowledge to overcome historical negative research experiences and tribal community members’ perceptions of research exploitation; Dr. Belone has played a role in assuring that research activities focused on prevention and implementation science align with tribal partners’ expectations and resources in current and past research.
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Awhina Cameron: Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Kahungunu Ki Wairoa
Awhina is CEO for Tū Tama Wahine o Taranaki, an indigenous development and liberation organisation based in Taranaki (Aotearoa/New Zealand). Within this role she has been involved in the development of a variety of localised systems-based solutions, particularly in the areas of family violence prevention, community development and various multi-year research projects. Recent development projects undertaken have included a ‘Masterclass in Active Citizenship’, Community Enterprise Incubators and publications such as Āta: A Practice Guide For Kaimahi and Whānau.
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Dr. Jamee Māhealani Miller is a Native Hawaiian leader, licensed social worker, and advocate for justice reform whose work centers on Indigenous healing and systemic transformation. As Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of ʻEkolu Mea Nui, she advances initiatives that reconnect justice-impacted individuals to land, culture, and ʻohana as pathways to resilience. She leads Hui Hoʻiwai, a collective addressing intergenerational incarceration, and facilitates cultural programs, including Hoʻoponopono, within correctional facilities.
Her research and practice focus on Indigenous approaches to justice, health equity, and community healing, with collaborations in Hawaiʻi, Australia, and Aotearoa to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline. Dr. Miller has held leadership roles at Kamehameha Schools and Liliʻuokalani Trust and earned her doctorate in Organizational Leadership and Education from USC. Rooted in Punaluʻu, she is committed to advancing Indigenous research and ensuring culturally grounded solutions guide responses to present and future health challenges.
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Dr. Vanessa Hiratsuka (Diné/Winnemem Wintu; enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, she/her) is a Senior Researcher at Southcentral Foundation, a tribal health organization in Anchorage, Alaska. She received a bachelor’s degree in human biology from Stanford University, a master’s degree in public health practice from the University of Alaska Anchorage, and a doctoral degree in public health from Walden University.
She uses Indigenous Research Methods, mixed methods, and is a bioethicist. Her community-engaged research work has spanned regional, national, and international efforts. Her research interests include ethical, social, and legal implications of genomic research and precision medicine among Indigenous populations; evaluation of chronic disease prevention and early detection interventions in Tribal settings; and Indigenous Elder wellbeing.
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Renée Masching is a nationally respected Indigenous health leader with over 25 years of experience advancing community-based research and policy. A member of Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation and of Irish descent, she was adopted and raised in a mixed European heritage family. Renée holds a BA in Psychology and BSW/MSW from McMaster University, is the founder of Seven Directions Consulting and a PhD in Health student at Dalhousie University.
Throughout her career, she has led community-based organizations, shaped policy, and advanced Indigenous health research, particularly in HIV/AIDS, hep C and STBBI. Renée’s contributions have been recognized with the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2025 and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Victoria in 2022, for distinguished achievements in scholarship, research, teaching, and public service. She lives by the ocean in Mi’kma’ki (Lawrencetown, NS) with her spouse, children and pets.
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Felix J. Lockhart has been in leadership roles for most of his life. The first time was when he was honoured by the Elders in his community when they selected him as Councillor in a Non-Indian Act election system. He went on a serve as Chief for the Lutselk’e Dene First Nation for seven intermittent terms, for a total of 17 years. He was also elected to be Grand Chief of the Akaitcho Territory Government between 1997 and 1999. In addition to these leadership roles, Felix Lockhart was the Founding Chair of the Dene Cultural Institute. He has extensive knowledge as a sports fishing guide and seasonal Caribou Range forest fire fighter. Elder Lockhart is an avid Hunter, Trapper, and Fisherman and is a fluent Dënesųłiné Speaker. Felix J. Lockhart works as a Resident Elder and Strategic Advisor within the Executive Branch at the Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife, NT. He presently serves as an Elder with the Dene Nation.
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Calvin Racette is a Métis Knowledge Keeper. He retired from teaching, culminating a 34-year career. His work focused on Indigenous education and inclusion. He has many educational publications that support treaty education and Métis history. Since retirement, Calvin has stayed involved with his community as an Elder and Knowledge Keeper. He represents the Métis community on university committees and research projects, predominantly on topics of education and health.
CANOE Approach Workshop Advisory Council
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Nation & Lineage: A proud member of the Squamish Nation, with ancestral roots extending to the Namgis and shishalh (Sechelt) peoples.
Family Heart: A proud mother to five adult children and a grandma to one, grounding her life and work in the strength and future of all families.
Leadership & Service: Director of Indigenous Partnerships and Investment at VanCity Community Foundation. Currently contributes her governance wisdom as a Board Member of All Nations Outreach Society and Helping Spirit Lodge Society.
Education & Profession: Holds both a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA), applying this knowledge to advance community well-being and systemic change.
Healing & Strength: For over 30 years, she has courageously walked a personal Healing Journey ❤️🩹. This path is deeply informed by her lived experience as an Indian Residential School Survivor—a truth that fuels her commitment to collective healing, advocacy, and building a future where Indigenous peoples thrive and bringing the Spirit of Reconciliation to all!
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My name is Hector Hill. I am Gitxsan on my mom’s side, and Tsimshian on my dad’s side.
I’m from our village of Gitsegukla, British Columbia, Canada. I am from the House of WiiSeeks.
My hereditary name is Gy’ax (Earthquake/Earth Tremor: It says that I move the earth you walk on). I learned how to read and write English when I was 45 years old, (1995/6) at Vancouver BC, Street Church.
I graduated my Two year Diploma in Theology and Missions, and, Three Year Diploma in Pastoral Training in 2001, through First Nations Bible College, Vancouver BC.
After, I was an assistant pastor to Randy Barnetson for a few years and I went and did my upgrading at NEC. Through NEC I went to NVIT for the Chemical Addiction Worker Advanced Diploma (graduated CHAD 2012.) I graduated my Bachelor of General Studies at University of Fraser Valley, 2013. I received my Masters of Education in Educational Administration and Leadership, University of British Columbia, 2021.
I worked as a Christian counsellor at Street Church and helped people who can’t read and write English. Through my education and training as a counsellor I was hired as an Addictions counsellor at Native Courtworkers and Association. I also worked at a Treatment Centre in Kitwangax, BC, Wilp Si’Satxw, Community Healing Centre.
At present I work with University of British Columbia, Linguistics. We are working on preserving the Gitxsan language, our Gitsenimuxw.
I retired 2018, but I’m still working with UBC Linguistics as an Elicitation.
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Dr. Elder Roberta Price, of the Coast Salish Snuneymuxw and Cowichan Nations, has shared her teachings and leadership across the Lower Mainland for over 40 years, promoting health equity and cultural safety. She advises UBC’s Family Practice and Nursing departments, the Lawson Foundation’s Youth Diabetes project, and many more. Respected for bridging Indigenous and Western healing approaches, her contributions to decolonizing health care, received an UBC honorary Doctor of Law degree in 2021.