Research Day

Research Day 2025

In line with the University of Manitoba’s Strategic Research Plan, Research Day 2025’s theme is Indigenous Health and Wellness. The theme centres the important work happening across our faculty and with our partners. In addition to themed panels throughout the day and a beading session in the afternoon, Dr. Janice Forsyth will deliver a keynote address highlighting her expertise in Indigenous sport and socio-cultural studies to inspire and challenge us. Along with the theme, we are also excited to announce an additional award for research for or with Indigenous communities.

Keynote speaker:

Dr. Janice Forsyth

Professor, University of British Columbia

Dr. Janice Forsyth's research combines history and sociology to explore the relationship between sport and culture from Indigenous perspectives. She focuses on how organized sports have been used as tools for colonization and how Indigenous people have taken up those same activities for cultural regeneration and survival. Her work has informed policy and program development across sectors, including youth and community development, justice, education, citizenship and health, in addition to sport and physical activity.

Dr. Jon McGavock

Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba

A BKin grad (’97), Dr. Jon McGavock's research program has three main pillars in order to span the spectrum of mechanistic human physiology studies to community-based participatory action research. Pillar one, the determinants of type two diabetes and the associated complications; Pillar two, the effects and implementation of urban cycling trails on population health; and pillar three, the role of peer mentoring for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes in youth. 

Cross-cutting areas include patient and community engagement in research and equity and anti-racism in the research process. His lab is currently funded by CIHR, Diabetes Canada, JDRF and Research Manitoba.

Dr. Moneca Sinclaire

Our Data Indigenous

Moneca Sinclaire is Nehinan (Cree) originally from Northern Manitoba and is a post-doctoral student researcher  for Kitatipithitamak Mithwayawin: Indigenous led countermeasures to Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other pandemics then, now and into the future.

Her background includes working within the health field from food sovereignty to Indigenous student mental health to heart health, and community engagement and education.

Sonny Albert

Director of Parks and Recreation, Norway House Cree Nation

A BRMCD grad, Sonny is a proud Cree from Kinosao Sipi (Norway House Cree Nation) Manitoba. An interest in Indigenous sports and the advancement of community well-being, he believes that the thought process of movement is medicine and that improving the quality of life includes this process and weaving indigenous culture and the modern age to provide identity to himself and others. His experience includes providing recreation management at the grassroots level and at the provincial level.

Sonny's passion for sports and recreation developed at a young age as he watched his father provide recreational opportunities in his remote northern community.