Reimagining First Nations, Métis & Inuit Data Collaboration

About this Session: This panel discussion explores First Nations, Métis and Inuit data and the partnerships that bring together Indigenous organizations, communities and settler institutions, grounded in broader themes of ethics, respect and trust. Panelists highlight real-world examples of collaboration in data initiatives and data sharing, with a focus on nurturing respectful relationships, advancing Indigenous data sovereignty, and practicing responsible data stewardship. At the heart of this conversation is the understanding that strong data partnerships are built on trust, reciprocity and community leadership. These elements are essential to ensuring that data are used in ways that are equitable, culturally grounded and sustainable over time. Aligned with the broader theme of Health Data for All of Us and our shared health data journey, this session will pay particular attention to the data-sharing stage — and to the relationships that make meaningful, ethical data sharing possible. About the Speakers: Dr. Caroline Tait grew up in the small Métis community of MacDowall, Saskatchewan, and her family has been active in the Métis Nation–Saskatchewan since its inception. She is a Professor with a joint appointment in the Faculty of Social Work and the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary. Dr. Tait holds a PhD in Anthropology from McGill University, and has also completed a postdoctoral fellowship. She is the lead author of the Saskatchewan Métis Research and Data Sovereignty Guidelines and contributes to education and training that supports the research sovereignty of Métis and First Nations peoples. Dr. Tait founded the First Nations and Métis Organ Donation and Transplantation Network and the International Indigenous Organ Donation and Transplantation Network, and serves as the Indigenous platform lead for the Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program. Her research focuses on addressing inequities experienced by Indigenous peoples across health care and the broader human services sector. Dr. Jillian Waruk (she/they) is Red River Métis, born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba and a proud Auntie of two amazing girls. She is a public health epidemiologist in the Research Department at the First Nation Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba and a citizen of the Red River Metis Nation in Manitoba. Dr. Waruk’s areas of expertise include First Nations’ data sovereignty, data training and data analysis. She spends some time at the Province of Manitoba, analyzing First Nations health data and race, ethnicity and Indigenous identity data collected by the province’s health care system. Their focus in their career is to learn, educate, and advise on applying an anti-racism lens to data collection, analysis and reporting. Nathalie Buissé (she/her) holds a Master of Arts from the University of Saskatchewan and a Project Management Diploma from the University of Winnipeg. She is a Project Manager at the University of Manitoba’s George and Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation, where she contributes to a diverse portfolio of initiatives supporting both academic research and the health care system. On behalf of Shared Health, Nathalie has been involved in Manitoba’s Race, Ethnicity and Indigenous Identity Data initiative since 2019. In this role, she has overseen the development and implementation of data collection practices as well as the establishment of Manitoba’s Data Governance Framework. Jonathan Yu is a Data Analyst at Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, where he supports national Inuit data governance and policy development. His work focuses on advancing Inuit data sovereignty, including the development of the National Inuit Data Strategy and tools such as the Inuit Nunangat Market Basket Measure to better understand poverty and well-being. Jonathan works closely with Inuit regions, federal partners, and researchers to improve data access, quality, and use for Inuit-led decision-making. He has a background in engineering from the University of Toronto and experience in Arctic fieldwork, bringing a practical and community-informed perspective to data systems and policy. About this Event: Health Data for All of Us: Our Health Data Journey was HDRN Canada's fourth annual hybrid public forum. It brought together researchers, community groups, members of the public and policymakers to engage in thoughtful dialogue about the full spectrum of the health data journey. Featuring speakers representing every stage of the journey, from data collection and management to access and use through to analysis, and knowledge mobilization, the forum offered a unique opportunity to explore how health data practices can drive better health outcomes for all. Land Acknowledgement: This event took place on the traditional, unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Anishinàbe Algonquin Nation, the customary keepers and defenders of the Ottawa River Watershed.