About the Event

Healthy Kids HOME (Health On the Move for Equity) is a community-based health promotion initiative designed to address health disparities in equity-deserving neighbourhoods through community partnerships. Informed by local research, HOME helps children and families gain access to vital, resident-driven services that might otherwise remain out of reach. Through HOME community partners, this is operationalized via two key components: 

1) Healthy Kids Sites (HKS): Established neighbourhood "hubs" offering diverse, consistent programming (e.g., cooking classes, playgroups, food cupboards, swimming, counselling) in both virtual and in-person formats; and 

2) Healthy Kids Family Program (HKFP): A recurring, four-week educational series focused on mental health, nutrition, physical activity, and smoking cessation, aimed at empowering families through enhancing knowledge, skill development, and readiness to access neighbourhood services. 

To date, nearly 20,000 children/family members have accessed services across three HKS via 2000+ program offerings. Ten iterations of the HKFP have engaged 59 parents/guardians over time, with qualitative feedback emphasizing improved mental health literacy, nutritional knowledge, and stress management. These outcomes underscore HOME’s role in mitigating pandemic-exacerbated disparities and advancing health equity in our community. As this 5-year project nears completion, key findings and lessons learned will be shared and of interest to those working to promote health and wellness among children and families in our region.

About the Speakers

Dr. Erin Pearson is an Associate Professor in the School of Kinesiology at Lakehead University and Principal Investigator of Healthy Kids HOME. Her research program is health promotion-oriented with a focus on behaviour modification and lifestyle psychology. Integral to her work is the opportunity to collaborate with community-based organizations to create asset-focused, participant informed projects. 

Rachel Globensky Bayes is the Program Coordinator for Healthy Kids HOME and a health systems leader with over 15 years of experience in the realms of  health promotion and equity advocacy. A Certified Red Seal Chef and graduate of Lakehead University, she specializes in stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and impactful initiatives addressing social determinants of health and community well-being.

About the Event

The View From Up Here is a six-part historical documentary series that utilizes “found footage” to take a satirical look at the themes and events at the Lakehead. The foundation for the series is archival footage from between 1958-1978 used by CKPR television in Thunder Bay for nightly newscasts. This presentation looks at the process of recovering the footage and an example of the results.

About the Event

The research team for the Bringing Our Children Home Initiative will talk about their work and the protocols that were established by the Survivor Committee to guide and direct the research. The goal is to gather evidence about the experiences of children who were taken to Pelican Lake Indian Residential School including survival testimony especially to identify/find children who went missing or died.

Panelists

• Barbara Ruotsalainen, Initiative Director, Bikiiwewinig Nindawaashishiimanaanak Bikewewinagwa Kibi’Noonjiminanik/Bringing Our Children Home Initiative.
• Lauren Augustine is a Community Researcher, Bikiiwewinig Nindawaashishiimanaanak Bikewewinagwa Kibi’Noonjiminanik/Bringing Our Children Home Initiative.
• Fern Chisel is a Community Researcher, Bikiiwewinig Nindawaashishiimanaanak Bikewewinagwa Kibi’Noonjiminanik/Bringing Our Children Home Initiative.
• Denise Baxter is the Vice Provost of Indigenous Initiatives at Lakehead University and a member of Marten Falls First Nation
• Juan Sanchez Martinez is a professor in the Department of Indigenous Learning.
• Kristin Burnett is the Chair of the Indigenous Learning Department and a historian. 

About the Event

Digital Storytelling (DST) is an innovative qualitative research method that combines personal narratives, multimedia, and technology to amplify participants' lived experiences. It utilizes digital tools such as images, photography, videos, and music to tell participants’ stories, creating an engaging and impactful format. DST has a profound effect on both participants, their audiences and key stakeholders by fostering understanding through personalized storytelling.

Drs. Costa, Kortes-Miller, and Sprakes will discuss their various research approaches to DST and highlight its transformative impact on participants, communities and systems. The presentation will feature digital stories created by participants, sharing their personal experiences with medical assistance in dying, opioid overdoses, or trauma-informed wound care.

The Speakers

Dr. Idevania Costa, School of Nursing

Dr. Katherine Kortes-Miller, School of Social Work

Dr. Abigale Sprakes, School of Social Work

About the Event

Dr. Idevania Costa, Associate Professor in the School of Nursing at Lakehead University, leads EQUIP@Action. This dynamic research lab fosters health equity through interdisciplinary collaboration, global health advocacy, and person-centered research. Rooted in ethical principles and equity-oriented healthcare, EQUIP@Action focuses on advancing innovative solutions to improve the holistic well-being of individuals living with chronic conditions, particularly diabetes and its complications.

Join us for this engaging event where Dr. Costa and her research assistants will showcase the latest outputs from EQUIP@Action. This event offers an opportunity to explore groundbreaking research, engage in meaningful discussions on health equity, and learn how research-driven advocacy can influence policy and practice in chronic conditions management.

Poster Presentations: Moderated by Dr. Costa

Research Outputs Include:

Why Attend?

● Discover the latest research on chronic conditions and health equity
● Connect with researchers, students, and healthcare professionals
● Explore opportunities to join the EQUIP@Action Research Lab

Light nutritious snacks will be provided. 

Everyone is welcome—let’s innovate for health equity together!

Registration

To register, please click here.

Faculty and researchers from a variety of disciplines will showcase their research, projects and initiatives. 

About the Event

The library is pleased to host a webinar which will highlight the exciting research conducted by Lakehead University faculty members. Three of our distinguished faculty members will be highlighting aspects of their research and published books. The library is proud to host Dr. Mitchell Albert, Dr. Anna Guttman, and Dr. Idevania Costa. Come learn about the extraordinary research they have been involved in and ultimately published. To explore book titles published by LU Faculty and staff, please see this discovery tool which lists books held in the library collection. Additional information concerning the special collection known as Lakehead University Author Monographs (LUAM) can be found here. All are welcome.

Registration

To register for this event, please click here.

About the Event

This event is brought to you by the Lakehead University Office of Sustainability and the City of Thunder Bay.

Learn about the basics of heat pump technology, Explore the Canadian energy rebates available today, Speak with local residents who have installed heat pumps in their homes, visit service provider booths to learn more about the heat pump services they provide.

Enjoy free refreshments!

About the Event

Join us for an exciting session on the EnactDem project, an international three-year initiative led by researchers from Canada, Germany, and the UK. This groundbreaking study investigates how the lived experiences of people with dementia can shape inclusive community development and address global inequities.

As part of this transnational effort, our team focuses on empowering individuals living with dementia and unpaid care partners to influence policy and practice. Through an innovative social science approach, the project explores diverse strategies for creating dementia-friendly spaces and enhancing community resilience. Our research highlights the crucial role of inclusive initiatives like Dementia Cafés and Dementia Gardens while tackling persistent barriers such as stigma, policy gaps, and social isolation.

A central feature of the session is our ongoing policymaker interviews in Thunder Bay, where local leaders share their insights on structural challenges and opportunities to create supportive environments. By understanding the intersection of local and global perspectives, the project aims to inspire new approaches to policy-making that prioritize lived experiences.

Our international collaboration demonstrates the value of shared learning and innovation across borders. The project seeks to build a global network of dementia-friendly initiatives by engaging communities and leveraging diverse cultural approaches. Together, we aim to redefine public awareness of dementia, empower marginalized voices, and promote sustainable policy reforms that enhance inclusivity at every level of society.

We invite you to discover how collaboration across borders is redefining dementia-friendly practices and building connections between communities worldwide. Let’s explore the transformative power of inclusive policies and how people with dementia can shape their own futures.

About the Event

Discover the transformative impact of the "Building Capacity Project" by the Northwest Dementia Working Group (NWDWG). This 5-year project (from 2019 to 2025), through initiatives like Dementia Cafés and the Dementia Garden, fosters community engagement, reduces stigma, and builds inclusive spaces for individuals living with dementia and care partners, promoting advocacy, belonging, and lasting connections.

The Building Capacity Project focuses on creating sustainable opportunities for people living with dementia and their care partners to stay active and connected in their communities. This project began as a partnership between researchers at the University of British Columbia and Lakehead University alongside community organizations, individuals living with dementia, and their care partners. In Thunder Bay, CERAH at Lakehead University and the NWDWG facilitate inclusive spaces, increase awareness, and build community partnerships, which are driven by and for people living with dementia and their care partners. Interviews with participants reflecting on this project highlight the transformative power of Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) in promoting inclusive, meaningful participation and empowering individuals to create lasting change in their communities.