The People Behind All My Relations

Our team plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of our programs and events. From event coordination to administration, they provide the behind-the-scenes support that allows us to carry out our work efficiently and effectively.

Director of All my Relations Indigenous Research Centre

Dr. Rod McCormick

Kanienkehaka

Dr. McCormick brings extensive professional experience in counselling, psychology, and Indigenous mental health. Over the past 15 years, he has dedicated himself to building Indigenous health research capacity and advocating for Indigenous health research at both provincial and national levels.

Dr. McCormick brings extensive professional experience in counselling, psychology, and Indigenous mental health. Over the past 15 years, he has dedicated himself to building Indigenous health research capacity and advocating for Indigenous health research at both provincial and national levels. His work is grounded in a commitment to addressing the unique mental health challenges faced by Indigenous communities and creating pathways for culturally relevant support.

For more than a decade, Dr. McCormick led several significant initiatives, including the BC Aboriginal Capacity and Developmental Research Environments, the Network Environment for Aboriginal Health Research, and Kloshe Tillicum, each of which contributed to advancing Indigenous health research and capacity-building across British Columbia. His leadership extended to the national stage as a co-founder and leader of the National Aboriginal Health Research Steering Committee: Kawatsire, furthering his advocacy for Indigenous voices in health research.

Currently, Dr. McCormick serves as the BC Indigenous Health Research Chair and directs the All My Relations Indigenous Research Centre at Thompson Rivers University (TRU). In this role, he continues to drive initiatives that support Indigenous well-being through research, education, and community collaboration, ensuring that Indigenous perspectives are at the forefront of health research and policy development.

Click here to learn more about Dr. McCormick
Associate Director of All my Relations Indigenous Research Centre

Jeneen Herns-Jensen

Algonquin, Shoshone & Norwegian Settler Descendant

Jeneen holds a Master of Education with an academic foundation spanning English and language studies, political science, and Indigenous studies.

Her interdisciplinary background has equipped her with a nuanced understanding of language, culture, and governance, which she applies in both her professional and personal pursuits.

Jeneen holds a Master of Education with an academic foundation spanning English and language studies, political science, and Indigenous studies. Her interdisciplinary background has equipped her with a nuanced understanding of language, culture, and governance, which she applies in both her professional and personal pursuits.

As an active researcher, Jeneen is passionate about Indigenous research methodologies, particularly those rooted in community-based approaches and cultural knowledge systems. She is dedicated to advancing linguistic teaching methods within Indigenous languages, working closely with Dr. Gloria Ramirez and Dr. Janice Dick-Billy on Secwepemctsin language revitalization projects. In addition to her collaborative work, Jeneen is learning Secwepemctsin herself, demonstrating her deep commitment to preserving and revitalizing Indigenous languages.

Beyond her academic and research endeavours, Jeneen is a devoted parent to her Secwepemc son. She is also an avid gardener, nurturing both plants and her connection to the land. Her roles as a mother and a gardener reflect her broader commitment to nurturing growth, resilience, and the well-being of future generations.

In all aspects of her life, Jeneen strives to honour Indigenous knowledge, practices, and languages while contributing to their ongoing preservation and revitalization.

Divisional Assistant All My Relations Research Centre

Shriya Chandna

Indian

Shriya has a Master of Arts in Political Science and a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Hotel Administration.

She is a former Hotelier and has worked extensively with Diplomatic Missions in India, particularly with the Canadian Government, IRCC, and the U.S. Department of State.

Born and raised in New Delhi, India, Shriya made Kamloops her new home when she moved to Canada in 2023. She has a Master of Arts in Political Science and a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Hotel Administration. She is a former Hotelier and has worked extensively with Diplomatic Missions in India, particularly with the Canadian Government, IRCC, and the U.S. Department of State.

Currently, Shriya supports the All My Relations Research Centre and the Knowledge Makers Program at TRU. She is keen on learning about Indigenous communities, language, culture, and their ways of being.

She loves travelling, trying new cuisines, watching sunsets, and exploring the outdoors and wilderness in beautiful British Columbia. She is a language enthusiast and can speak 5 languages and dialects.

Knowledge makerS coordinator

Chuying Jiao

Chinese

Chuying holds a Master of Education and a Bachelor’s in Social Work, which equip her with compassion and expertise in supporting students on their academic journeys.

Born and raised in China, Chuying Jiao moved to Canada in 2017 as an international student. She now holds a Master of Education and a Bachelor’s in Social Work, which equip her with compassion and expertise in supporting students on their academic journeys.

As the Knowledge Makers program coordinator, Chuying is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment. She is a passionate advocate for Indigenous Knowledge Systems and worldviews, working to ensure their importance is recognized and integrated within the academic sphere.

Chuying’s work is driven by her belief in the power of education to transform lives and build bridges between diverse communities. Outside work, she enjoys exploring new cultures and continuously expanding her knowledge.

Research Coordinator

Peyton Anderson

Nuxalk Nation

Peyton Anderson holds a Master of Arts in Political Science and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations. She has collaborated with the British Columbia government to advocate for policies that respect Indigenous knowledge systems and ensure that decision-making practices are inclusive of Indigenous voices.

Peyton Anderson holds a Master of Arts in Political Science and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations. She has collaborated with the British Columbia government to advocate for policies that respect Indigenous knowledge systems and ensure that decision-making practices are inclusive of Indigenous voices.

In addition to her academic and intellectual pursuits, Peyton is an avid skier and enjoys leading an active lifestyle. Her connection to the land through recreation and her cultural roots has deeply informed her work and personal philosophy.

Currently, Peyton contributes to the Knowledge Makers Journal, where she supports Indigenous research and scholarship. She is also working alongside Dr. McCormick and Jeneen Herns-Jensen on a research project centered around land-based healing practices. This project aims to explore the profound connection between Indigenous peoples and the land as a source of well-being and cultural resilience.

Research Assistant

Kirsten Glass

Settler Descent

Equipped with a General Management Diploma from Camosun College, Kirsten is pursuing a Bachelor’s in Communication and Digital Journalism with a minor in Marketing at TRU. Her passions lie in accessibility, decolonization, and design.

Research Assistant

Ellis Dakota Knife Rondquist

Métis 

Ellis Rondquist is a Métis social work student with a minor in Sociology whose research focuses on body sovereignty, comprehensive sex education, and community advocacy.

Research Assistant

Olivia Lane

Métis

Olivia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology and is pursuing a Social Work degree at TRU. Olivia is deeply committed to community wellness and empowerment and has supported diverse groups as a facilitator, mentor, and support worker.

Elders in Residence

Knowledge Makers Journal is grateful to have the wisdom of Elders that help to not only guide new Knowledge Makers but also the processes of healing, learning, documenting, protecting, and preservation that comes with research and our program.

Kamloops Campus

Mike Arnouse

Cstèlen

Mike Arnouse is from the Adams Lake community. He has been an Elder on TRU’s campus for over twenty years.

He is a helper who believes in learning from one another.

Mike Arnouse is from the Adams Lake community. He has been an Elder on TRU’s campus for over twenty years.

He is a helper who believes in learning from one another. He appreciates the opportunities to meet and talk with students, staff, and faculty, as we all can learn from each other. He shares his knowledge freely. He notes that knowledge has been hidden from our people for so long. Everything that we learn and share is for future generations — to learn about medicines, animals, and stories. The colonization of our culture and the copyrights to knowledge systems are a hindrance that carries the knowledge of the history of Secwépemc’ulucw.

Indigenization and de-colonization of the Secwepemc culture. Knowledge is best passed through relationships and talking to one another. Mike invites people to sit and talk with him anytime he is on campus. Have tea and chat. Be yourself and have a heart-to-heart. Build relationships, friendships, and family.

Kamloops Campus

Joanne Brown

Cheslatta / Dakelh

Joanne Brown is a member of the Cheslatta Carrier Nation, L’silu clan. She was born and raised in her home territory near Burns Lake, British Columbia, and moved to Secwépecmc’ulucw from Prince George in 1996.

Joanne Brown is a member of the Cheslatta Carrier Nation, L’silu clan. She was born and raised in her home territory near Burns Lake, British Columbia, and moved to Secwépecmc’ulucw from Prince George in 1996.

Joanne’s previous work with Employment and Immigration Canada and her studies in geography and anthropology (TRU) made her a natural fit for an occupation in Indigenous post‑secondary education.

She is grateful for her amazing community, especially working with neighbours and friends. Joanne strives to ensure that everyone is welcomed and feels special in a unique and unforgettable way. In her free time, Joanne kayaks, gardens, cooks, and loves spending time with her precious friends and family.

Kamloops Campus

Doe Thomas

Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc

Leona (Doe) Thomas is a Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc (TteS) band member.

She is a mother and grandmother. She has been retired for several years and has worked with Alberta First Nations on developing, implementing, and reporting on health programs.

Leona (Doe) Thomas is a Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc (TteS) band member.

She is a mother and grandmother. She has been retired for several years and has worked with Alberta First Nations on developing, implementing, and reporting on health programs.

She is currently an elder with the Kamloops First Nations court and generally enjoying retirement.

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Reach Out to Our Team

If you’re interested in learning more about the individuals behind All My Relations or would like to collaborate with any of our team members, we’d be happy to connect.

Please feel free to reach out to us and we’ll direct your inquiry to the appropriate team member. We look forward to hearing from you!

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