Josie C. Auger, Ph.D. is a tenured Associated Professor in the Centre of Interdisciplinary Studies in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Athabasca University. Her doctoral research addressed STI/HIV prevention using popular theatre and action research as methods. In 2014, she published, “My People’s Blood: Indigenous Sexual Health Recovery.” She received her doctorate in 2010 from the University of Alberta. Justification for her academic career interruption includes employment from 2008-2012 as a senior executive for a non-profit organization in Indigenous community health and wellness, elected leadership from 2014-2018 for the Bigstone Cree Nation (Treaty 8). Teaching and research drive the academy.
Pedagogically, Dr. Auger developed and coordinated courses in Indigenous Studies, Indigenous research Methods, and Indigenous health. Research is also meant to be applied and not sitting on the shelf. Since returning to academia in 2018, Dr. Auger expanded her doctoral research on sexuality to self-determination and sovereignty using Indigenous research methodology. She received Athabasca University and SSHRC Connection Grant funding to host an international online and virtual gathering in 2022 on the topic of Indigenous Research Ethics. She received funding from the university to lead a COVID-19 research project with Indigenous learners, and continues to support student learning through the Sacred Circle of Squares (online).
Dr. Auger’s record of accomplishment as a team member is promising. She has worked with colleagues from Athabasca University and nationally as a Principal Investigator, co-applicant, and collaborator on research projects with the University of Calgary, McGill University, University of Montreal, University of Saskatchewan, Thompson Rivers University, and Wilfred Laurier University. Dr. Auger’s current fields of study, include Indigenous Studies focusing on research, health, legal traditions, environment, architecture, and culture.
2010 Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health Sciences, University of Alberta
1999 Master of Science, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta
1996 Bachelor of Arts in Native Studies, University of Alberta
1988 Native Communications Diploma, Grant MacEwan Community College
Auger, J. C., Baker, J., Cardinal, L., James, A., Jay, M., & Loonskin, S. (2024). Indigenous research methods for healing sexual trauma with Cree women. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2024.2346532
Collins, S., Ko, G., Yasynskyy, Y., Jay, M., Auger, J., Gunderson, L., Yudcovitch, M., & Ruban, A. (2023). Applying a trauma-informed and strengths-focused lens. In G. Ko, S. Collins, and Y. Yasynskyy (Eds.). A practical guide for counsellors: Co-creating safe and culturally responsive relational spaces. ColYasKo. https://responsiverelationships.pressbooks.com.
Auger, J.C., Baker, J.M., Connors, M., & Martin, B. (2023). Understanding Indigenous Learners’ Experiences during the First and Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 24(4), 64–79. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v24i4.7009
Simon, D., Burns, N., Hunter-Porter, N., Lanceleve, T., Prefontaine, N., Herkimer, J., Roan, S., Auger, J., Benoit, A., Morton Ninomiya, M., and Bourque Bearskin, L. (2023). Embodied in Indigenous Research: How Indigeneity, Positionality, and Relationality Contribute to Research Approaches and Understanding Healthy Populations Journal 3(1), 30-43. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15273/hpj.v3i1.11475https://ojs.library.dal.ca/hpj/article/view/11475
Auger, J., (2021). Thoughts on cultural safety with the intention to inform (video for e-book). In G. Ko, M. Anderson, S. Collins, & Y. Yasynskyy, Fostering responsive therapeutic relationships: Repositioning microskills and techniques in service of just conversations. Counselling Concepts.
Golzadeh, N., Barst, B.D., Baker, J.M., Auger, J.C., & McKinney, M.A. (2021). “Alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are the largest contributor to polycyclic aromatic compound concentrations in traditional foods of the Bigstone Cree Nation in Alberta, Canada.” Environmental Pollution 275.
Baker, J.M., Gladue T., and Auger J.C. (2022). Monitoring the Land: Consultation and Extraction in Bigstone Cree Nation’s Territory. In “Indigenous Stewardship and Alternative Development,” Katherine Sinclair and Evodia, Silva editors. Toronto: University of Toronto Press (in-press).
Golzadeh, N., Barst, B.D., Basu, N., Baker, J.M., Auger, J.C., & McKinney M.A. (2020). “Evaluating the concentrations of total mercury, methylmercury, selenium, and selenium: mercury molar ratios in traditional foods of the Bigstone Cree in Alberta, Canada.” Chemosphere 250.
Auger, J.C. (2014). My People’s Blood: Indigenous Sexual Health Recovery Vernon, BC: JCharlton Publishing Ltd.
Auger, J., Heather, J. The Applied Theatre Reader, 2013, pp. 283–290
Auger, J.C. (1996). Whose story to tell? In G. Kirkland & R. Davis (Eds.), Dimensions II (pp.85-87). Toronto, ON: Gage Educational Publishing Company.
"Indigenous Peoples, Climate Justice & Action Research in the Americas: Exchanging Knowledges and Building Alliances for Territories of Life" Retreat Sept 28 - Oct 2, 2023 at McGill University in Montréal, Québec.
Outcomes:
An executive summary and lessons learned document showcasing the key messages for policy and action arising from our discussions.
Seven short videos profiling the perspectives and experiences of seven Indigenous leaders from Abya Yala and Turtle Island produced by McGill students in collaboration with McGill's Critical Media Lab.
A video of the roundtable discussion featuring keynote speaker Francisco Cali Tzay, UN Special Rapportuer on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; and the Rapporteur's keynote presentation; and
The program/agenda and participant's list.
These are fantastic resources to share within your communities, organizations and wider network, and are all available in English, Spanish and French.