A circle of Indigenous leaders, Elders, Knowledge Holders, innovators, and allies will guide Kids Brain Health Network’s (KBHN) new Indigenous funding stream and ensure that its work is shaped by Indigenous priorities, values, and ways of knowing.

“We are fortunate to have interest from leaders across the country, including advocates with lived and living experience, as well as non-Indigenous clinicians and professionals who offer valuable perspectives,” said Dr. Grant Bruno, Chair of the Advisory Circle.

The KBHN Indigenous Advisory Circle includes members from the Atlantic region, Central Canada, the Prairie Provinces, and the West Coast.

  • Dr. Grant Bruno, Advisory Circle Chair and KBHN Scientific Advisor, is a proud nêhiyaw (Plains Cree) scholar and an Assistant Professor at the University of Alberta. His research weaves nêhiyaw knowledge systems with Western frameworks to create inclusive, decolonized approaches to healthcare.
  • Dr. Leona Makokis, an Elder of the Kehewin Cree Nation, is President Emeritus of Blue Quills University, where she transformed it into Canada’s first independent, accredited Indigenous institution. An educator, author, and Cree language advocate, she is recognized with multiple honorary degrees, an Indspire Award, and the Women of Vision Award for her lifetime contributions to Indigenous education and leadership.
  • Daniele Wolf is a neuroscientist with a PhD from Université de Montréal. She is passionate about bridging gaps in healthcare and championing inclusive and equity-oriented research practices.
  • Jolene R. Morin is a grant and proposal writer for the Maskekosihk Masinahike Department and a second-year Social Work student from the Enoch Cree Nation. She is dedicated to advancing social justice and community support, inspired by her experiences raising a child who is neurodiverse.
  • Katie Timms is a Métis Research Coordinator in Indigenous Health at the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS. She advocates for Indigenous health equity and youth empowerment through culturally safe, community-driven research.
  • Laranna Scott is a Métis advocate, early childhood development specialist, and mother of a child with complex needs. Her work influences provincial disability policies and champions early intervention and supports for families.
  • Louis Busch is a Community Support Specialist with Shkaabe Makwa’s Workforce Development Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. His research explores Indigenous perspectives on helping and healing, aiming to strengthen holistic approaches to care.
  • Melanie Sheldon is a pediatric physiotherapist and a Council Member with the College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba. She explores reciprocity in storytelling to understand Indigenous participation with health services.
  • Dr. Sabrina Eliason is a developmental pediatrician at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital and an Assistant Professor at the University of Alberta. Her clinical expertise lies in assessing complex neurodevelopmental and mental health presentations in children and youth.
  • Sara Spence, a Swampy Cree member of Peguis First Nation and PhD student at the University of Western Ontario, advocates for centering Indigenous knowledge and culture in clinical services for Indigenous children and youth.
  • Tanya Northcott is a Certified FASD Educator and an accomplished artist of Ojibway and West Coast First Nations descent. With more than 22 years of experience supporting individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities, she has served on numerous boards and shared her expertise as a guest speaker at gatherings across the country.
  • Will Landon (Waabshkigaabo), Anishinaabe from Wauzhushk Onigum of Grand Council Treaty #3, is a longtime Indigenous advocate and youth leader recognized with the CAMIMH Individual Champion of Mental Health award. He now speaks on autism and neurodivergence, working to remove barriers for young people to realize their dreams.

The KBHN Indigenous Advisory Circle is gearing up for the launch of the new Indigenous Stream, guiding decisions on funding allocation, project selection criteria, and culturally appropriate evaluation methods rooted in OCAP® principles.

“We are looking to fund a range of projects, from early-stage development to full implementation, that focus on early identification, access to evidence-based interventions, and family support,” said Dr. Jennifer Zwicker, KBHN Chief Scientist.

Scheduled to launch in fall 2025, the Indigenous Stream is supported by Brain Canada, a national leader in advancing brain research. The initiative is grounded in a shared commitment to reconciliation and recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ rights to self-determination, self-governance, and culturally grounded solutions.

The KBHN Indigenous Advisory Circle will be directly involved in selecting projects to be funded by KBHN and Brain Canada. These may include community-based research, innovative interventions, and culturally adapted programs designed for Indigenous contexts.