KEYNOTE PLENARY
Percy Lezard
My research orientation is always towards community. It is my responsibility as a xatma sqilx researcher and thinker to disrupt mainstream models of knowledge extraction. In my talk, I will re-center Two-Spirit Indigenous ways of knowing and being. My work highlights the impacts of harnessing the existing strengths and leadership from Indigenous community members. As a result, I prioritize community-based participatory action research (CBPAR), and always strive to involve myself in research that has tangible impacts. I will share my work as a principal researcher and contributor on many CBPAR projects with social agencies that provide health and service support to Indigenous and 2LGBTQQIA+ communities. The scope of my current research agenda includes First Nations, Métis, Inuit, Black Indigenous, Afro Indigenous, Two-Spirit, trans, sex-worker, youth, deaf/hard-of-hearing and houseless communities. Research in these areas is increasingly salient, as resources within health-care must be tailored to fit the unique needs of these communities by service providers.
