Meet Our Team

CHEO Research Institute – ACHWM Team Lead & Senior Scientist

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Dr. Nancy Young is a Clinical Epidemiologist with expertise in measurement science. She is currently a Senior Scientist at the CHEO Research Institute. Her research career has focused on developing self-reported health measures for use by children and gives children a voice when it comes to their health. Indigenous children have not had a voice in health planning due to a lack of culturally appropriate measures. She has worked with other countries and cultures to develop and adapt health measures, and was invited by Mary Jo Wabano to work with Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory to develop a measure for Indigenous children. She is on a journey to become an ally.

Dr. Young has worked with Indigenous communities since 2009 and has played a critical role in the development of the Aaniish Naa Gegii: the Children’s Health and Well-being Measure (ACHWM). This tool is the product of collaboration with Mary Jo Wabano and many partners, including children and youth. She continues to work in collaboration with several First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities to share research products for use in different regions and cultural contexts. This work enables Indigenous health leaders to gather local data to augment traditional understandings of their children’s health and is a step towards better health outcomes among Indigenous children.

Naandwechige-Gamig, Wikwemikong Health Centre – Health Services Director

I have been working at Nadmadwin Mental Health Clinic since 1999. I was part of the development of this ACHWM and the mental health staff were very instrumental in ensuring that the real time safety feature was built into the process to ensure that support was provided immediately to those requiring it.

Evaluating Children’s Health Outcomes (ECHO) Research Centre, Laurentian University – ACHWM Administrative Assistant

Sasha is the ACHWM team’s Administrative Assistant. She is responsible for keeping the team organized as well as providing support to the team in numerous ways. She prides herself on her positive attitude, openness to learn, and willingness to always give a helping hand when needed. She enjoys spending time with her family as well as enjoying outdoor activities such as camping and fishing.

Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario – Community Outreach and Relations Lead

Samantha Mandamin is an Anishnaabe Kwe from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, located on Manitoulin Island, Ontario. She is a Community Outreach and Relations Lead for ACHWM.. Samantha graduated college in Sault Ste. Marie, where she co-directed a film named “Invisible People” – a documentary about homelessness in Sault Ste. Marie. Her passions for bringing awareness to those less fortunate and worldly curiosity lead her to travel away from home. After enrolling in a Cultural Exchange program, Samantha was able to spend time in Ukraine, along with North Battleford, Saskatchewan. Samantha has been learning and practicing Anishnawbek Culture since she was a child.

She enjoys sharing those teachings with others, which have provided her with the foundation of success. After moving to Toronto, Samantha spent over fifteen years in the education field. Initially assisting faculty, students, and senior administrators at George Brown College, and most recently Toronto Metropolitan (formerly Ryerson) University, where she was the Aboriginal Academic Student Support Advisor. Upon relocating back to Northern Ontario, Samantha has taken advantage of the opportunities to connect with her family, friends, and community. In her spare time, you can find her spending time with her family and two children exploring our natural world.

ACHWM | CHEO Research Institute – Community Outreach and Education Lead

Lulu is the Community Outreach and Education Lead for ACHWM. She completed her Bachelor of Arts, with a Major in Geography and a Bachelor of Education, focusing on Indigenous Education in the classroom at Queen’s University. After her studies, she moved to Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik as a Secondary Educator and built relationships with community members and Elders. In order to better support her students, she completed additional training courses on Teaching English Language Learners and Special Education. In her spare time, Lulu loves staying active and being outdoors, especially after gaining confidence from running an outdoor-education and intervention program for the local Inuit youth.

CHEO Research Institute – Community Outreach and Communications Lead

Sydney Chabot-Hamden is an Anishinaabe kwe from Kitigan Zibi First Nation and the Community Outreach and Communications Lead for the ACHWM. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Western University and is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist. Sydney has multiple years of experience working in Indigenous organizations and start-up businesses and has a passion for improving the health and wellbeing of Indigenous people. Outside of work, she enjoys quality time spent with family and friends, and exploring new places.

ACHWM (CHEO RI) – Community Outreach & Wellness Intern

Emily McDonald is Mi’kmaw from Miawpukek First Nation, located in Newfoundland. Emily is a Social Work student with the ACHWM, working on the Wellness Resource Hub and community engagement. Emily has completed her Social Service Worker diploma from Algonquin College. She is now working on completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work at Carleton University, with her minor in Indigenous Studies. Emily has always had a passion for wellness within her field, especially in an Indigenous context. Emily loves fishing, golfing, traveling, and connecting with her culture.

Laurentian University – ACHWM Student Intern

Ariel Nakogee is an ininiw iskwew from Attawapiskat First Nation, located along the Western James Bay Coast. Ariel is a Social Work student with the ACHWM through Laurentian University. She has a college diploma in Indigenous Wellness and Addictions Prevention (IWAP) through Canadore College. Ariel is currently working towards completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Indigenous Social Work through Laurentian University, with a minor in Sociology. In her spare time, Ariel enjoys spending time with family and friends, connecting to culture through crafting, and spending time on the land.

Laurentian University – Software Developer

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Ariel Nakogee is an ininiw iskwew from Attawapiskat First Nation, located along the Western James Bay Coast. Ariel is a Social Work student with the ACHWM through Laurentian University. She has a college diploma in Indigenous Wellness and Addictions Prevention (IWAP) through Canadore College. Ariel is currently working towards completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Indigenous Social Work through Laurentian University, with a minor in Sociology. In her spare time, Ariel enjoys spending time with family and friends, connecting to culture through crafting, and spending time on the land.