Nicole Eshkakogan, Scientific Director, Awo Taan Healing Lodge Society
Nicole Eshkakogan (Morning Star) is Anishnawbe/Blackfoot from Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation, Ontario and the Piikani Nation of the Blackfoot Confederacy in Southern Alberta. Nicole holds a Master’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Alberta, where she is also completing her PhD. Nicole’s work and research background is in Indigenous social epidemiology, anti-oppression praxis and racism, health equity, family violence, and gender and wellness. Over the last 15 years, she has worked in Indigenous health systems management at Alberta Health Services and as an independent research/evaluation specialist for a number of academic institutions, non-for-profit agencies, and community-based organizations throughout Canada. Nicole has been a recipient or co-recipient of various research and evaluation grants focused on Indigenous issues and has completed several publications dedicated to improving the national agenda on understanding colonialism and the intergenerational impacts on Indigenous people and communities. Recently, Nicole was a Scientist with the Population, Public and Indigenous Health Strategic Clinical Network at Alberta Health Services; and is now the Scientific Director at the Awo Taan Healing Lodge Society. In this role, Nicole works with Indigenous survivors of family violence, Elders, Traditional Knowledge Holders, community partners and other key stakeholders to identify successes, gaps, connections and future directions on culturally appropriate and safe trauma violence informed care for family violence prevention, intervention and supports for Indigenous survivors and their families.