​The Morning Star Lode (MSL) is an Indigenous Health Research Lab Located in Regina, Saskatchewan and conducts community-based research within the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council. While discussing the importance of utilizing Indigenous research methodologies when engaging with Indigenous communities, this story discusses the theme and importance of allyship in any relationship. While facilitating meaningful and reciprocal relationships, Morning Star Lodge acknowledges and promotes the importance of Traditional Knowledge and culture incorporated within research methods. The authors of this story discuss their lived experience of working alongside Indigenous Peoples within Treaty Four Territory. 

About the Authors

Mikayla Hagel (BHS) is a Research Assistant at Morning Star Lodge: An Indigenous Community-based health research lab affiliated with the College of Medicine, Community Health and Epidemiology department. Her educational background includes Indigenous health research and the natural sciences from the University of Regina. Mikayla's research interests are to meaningfully contribute to the decolonization of the current Canadian healthcare system with leadership and guidance from the community utilizing OCAP principles. As an Indigenous ally, she is dedicated and passionate about working alongside community members.

Miranda Keewatin (BSW) holds a Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work from the University of Regina and focused her studies on Indigenous spirituality, philosophies, ideology, knowledges, and methodologies. Miranda is a Research Assistant at the Morning Star Lodge working with Treaty Four communities in Saskatchewan. Miranda is a Cree woman from Peepeekisis Cree Nation. She has a strong interest in health equity for Indigenous people and the social and structural determinants of health. 

Dr. Carrie Bourassa (BA, MA, PhD) Professor, Community Health & Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan. She also is Scientific Director, Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health – Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR-IIPH). She is an adjunct in the Faculties of Education and Kinesiology & Health Studies at the University of Regina and the Nominated Principal Investigator for the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) funded Morning Star Lodge established in 2010, and also for recently CFI-funded Cultural Safety, Evaluation, Training and Research lab built in 2020, hosted at the University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Bourassa is a member of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists of the Royal Society of Canada and a public member of the Royal College Council of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. She is a member of the International Research Advisory Board (IRAB) for the Health Research Council (New Zealand) and a member of the Health Quality Council Board of Saskatchewan. She was appointed to the National Research Council of Canada Advisory Board (NRC) – Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre Advisory Board in May 2018. Dr. Bourassa is Métis and belongs to the Riel Métis Council of Regina Inc. (RMCR, Local #34).