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NEWS EDITOR Desirée Nikfardjam news.editor@thefulcrum.ca

U of O secures funding for Indigenous health research

“The new Faculty of Health Sciences’ building and its academic programs embrace the strategic elements of the

On Nov. 24, the University of Ottawa (U of O) announced it had received a $2.5 million donation from the Bank of Montreal (BMO).

The donation will be combined with a $2.9 million investment from the U of O towards the reIMAGINE campaign and “help transform the future of learning and research in Indigenous health and health sciences” at the U of O.

Plans for the funds include the construction of a new faculty of health sciences building on Lees Avenue, and the establishment of a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Health.

In a statement to the Fulcrum, Lucie Thibault, dean of the faculty of health sciences, said that the funds are a welcomed investment for increasing research capacity within the faculty.

“BMO’s investment into the faculty of health sciences and into the new building at 200

Lees is very much appreciated and will further enable and enhance our teaching, learning, and research focusing on Indigenous health from multiple perspectives in the faculty’s five schools: interdisciplinary health sciences, human kinetics, nursing, nutrition sciences, and rehabilitation sciences.”

“All students will benefit from this generous donation from BMO in the environment that is created to foster learning and research that aims to improve the lives, well-being, and health [of] all Indigenous people and communities.”

Thibault added that the newly-announced health sciences building and focus on Indigenous health research aligns with the U of O’s Indigenous Action Plan.

“In particular, hoops 2, 3, and 4 are key to our new spaces. Hoop 2 addresses faculties, departments, and programs: Indigenous curriculum and research development; hoop 3 deals with the physical space: aesthetics infusion, inclusion, and improvement; and hoop 4 comprises Indigenous community: internal and external engagement.”

With regards to the appointment of a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Health, Thibault said a wide call for experienced Indigenous scholars will be made this findings with all, including Indigenous communities. The successful candidate will also be responsible to teach, supervise, and mentor students in the field of health sciences and health research amongst Indigenous communities.”

In a statement posted to the U of O web- search and in its relationship with communities.”

U of O Chancellor and member of BMO’s Indigenous Advisory Council, Claudette Commanda, presented a commemorative Thunderbird blanket to BMO to show appreciation for the renewed partnership. In addition, the year, and the successful candidate will play a major role in supporting future health professionals.

“The successful candidate will be responsible for research into Indigenous health and to share their research

uOSU: A look into the 2023-2024 General Elections

site, vice-president of external relations, Jacline Nyman, said the Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Health “demonstrates how uOttawa is taking action to pursue a path to indigenization in its courses, curricula, re- atrium of the new health sciences building will be named the “Coeur Communautaire BMO |The BMO Social Heart.”

“The UOSU executive wants to ensure that the next Executive Committee is set up for success.”

On Jan. 9, the University of Ottawa Students’ Union (UOSU) announced the upcoming general elections for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Students may run for positions on the

UOSU Executive Committee and Board of Directors, as well as the University of Ottawa (U of O) Senate and U of O Board of Governors.

While the nomination period began on Jan. 16, candidates will kick off their campaigns on Feb. 19, and voting will take place between March 5 and March 9, 2023.

In a statement to the Fulcrum, current UOSU president, Armaan Singh, said he is hopeful the elections will occur according to plan and that the outgoing executive team members will provide support to successful candidates as they find their footing within the organization.

“We hope that the UOSU general elections go smoothly, with candidates who present their visions for their student union and how it can best represent student interests and priorities. All members will be preparing comprehensive transition reports for their successors, we will plan group and bilateral transition meetings between the outgoing and incoming Executive teams, and line up the appropriate trainings, presentations, and workshops for the incoming Ex- ecutive team.”

The 2022-2023 academic year has been a tumultuous one for the student union, with controversy surrounding the Fall General Assembly, and a high turnover rate within the association representing the U of O’s more than 30,000 undergraduate students. As of Jan. 18, two of the executive positions are listed as being vacant on UOSU’s website.

Despite these challenges, the UOSU Executive Committee remains dedicated to students, according to Singh.

“We fought against tuition increases, and continually advocated for the student interest to our university administration and our provincial and federal governments. We continued to ensure that the Union was providing a wide range of high quality, accessible, and relevant services to students and chances for them to volunteer and contribute to positive change within our university community.”

“We successfully planned the first in-person 101-week since the outbreak of the pandemic, with student safety and efforts to reignite student life at heart. We continued to ensure that student funds were used to empower

Faculty of medicine remembers Abeera Shahid, MD 2024

students, that our health and dental insurance was being expanded upon to best serve students, and that we continued to create more well-paying jobs for students.”

In addition, Singh mentioned steps were taken to improve how the union operates.

“Within the union, we undertook several reforms to ensure that the organization is partaking in equitable practices and that it has a robust and democratic governance structure.”

With regard to prospective candidates,

Singh encourages students to do their research before they apply.

“I would advise that all students who are interested in running in the general elections check the constitution of the UOSU to ensure that they are fully aware of the parameters of each mandate and understand what the role entails.”

More information on the General Elections can be found on their website.

“She was loved by her research team…, front-line workers and people with lived experience who were grateful for her commitment, her listening skills, and her advocacy.”

On Jan. 10, the University of Ottawa (U of O) announced the passing of Abeera Shahid, MD 2024.

Shahid obtained a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) in Global Health from McMaster University, and had been a student at the U of O’s faculty of medicine since 2020. She was passionate about social justice and supporting marginalized communities.

Through the faculty’s Medical Student Summer Research Program, Shahid worked as a research assistant at the Bruyère Research Institute during the summers of 2021 and 2022, continuing her work during her academic years.

Under the supervision of Dr. Claire Kendall, associate dean of social accountability at the faculty of medicine, Shahid and fellow researchers from the MAP Centre for Urban

Health Solutions examined the level of support provided to Toronto encampment residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Abeera sought a career as a public health physician, as she believed this is the way [she’d] have the greatest impact on population equity. She was an exceptional young person with the personal and societal insight and leadership to improve the lives of marginalized communities,” wrote Dr. Kendall.

She continued, “[Abeera] was loved by her research team…, frontline workers and people with lived experience who were grateful for her commitment, her listening skills, and her advocacy.”

Prior to her studies in medicine, Shahid travelled extensively to countries like Senegal, Australia, and Kenya, where she accumulated relevant work experience in public health, global research, and advocacy. In addition, she enjoyed blogging, hiking, and writing poetry in her spare time.

A statement on the GoFundMe page created by Shahid’s family reads, “She was the light in all our eyes and a precious daughter, sister, and friend to many. Our family is grateful for all the support we have received during this difficult time.”

The donations will contribute to Sadaqah Jariyah, “a gift that not only benefits others in this life but also benefits us and our loved ones in the next,” in Shahid’s honour. The family plans to “eternize Abeera’s deeds by providing education to others.”

In light of Shahid’s passing, the faculty of medicine encouraged staff and students to surround themselves with friends and family, and to rely on available support such as counselling from the Student Affairs Office (SAO.)

Students may also contact the 24/7 Crisis Line or Good2Talk outside of SAO working hours. The U of O held a celebration of life for Shahid on Jan. 19.