Interesting things to read, places to sit, a table for your coffee, surely folks will want to stop by and hang out with us now, right?! #IndigenousHealthResearchUnit #IndigenousResearchLibrary @vchresearch.bsky.social

From the #TBR pile: Luminous, by Silvia Park (2025). A futuristic, unified Korea where advanced robotics is the stuff of everyday life. I found myself staying up a bit too late each night for *just one more chapter*. Captivating characters and world building. #Booksky

Interesting research being done on the immunological impacts of tattoo ink, finding divergent effects related to our immune response and vaccine efficacy. As a well-tattooed member of the academy, I will be watching this work closely! 👀 #Inked #Vaxxed www.gavi.org/vaccineswork...

One of the most disturbing things about the U.S. government getting themselves into the anti-vaccine game is that it is a time-release poison pill. It will take a few years before the worst of the harm is visible to enough people that they will truly understand what has been done to them.

A special #booksky post: I lent this book to my grandfather 15+ years ago, he never returned it, and we could never find it after he died. My aunt finally found it, fallen behind the shelf in a tiny crack. I bought this for 99 cents, and it is by far the best value for money book I’ve ever owned.

I am sharing a GoFundMe campaign to help support the families affected by the tragic bear attack on a school trip in Bella Coola. This incident has deeply impacted the Nuxalk and Bella Coola communities, including our friends, colleagues, and research partners. www.gofundme.com/f/bella-cool...

Just read Doppelganger (2023) from my #TBR pile, by @naomiaklein.bsky.social. It seems to be a trend that it takes me 2x longer to read her work, as I am frequently interrupted by my own musings inspired by her writing. Apologies to anyone who’s been in line behind me for her books at the library.

Scientists: have you been the target of an online harassment campaign, doxxing, or weaponized FOIA requests? I'd like to talk to you about steps you had to take to protect your digital security for an upcoming Nature story. (You can be anonymous if necessary.) RTs appreciated.

A fabulous night with the #IndigenousWomenOutdoors crew after our first ever film night fundraiser at the beautiful Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre in Whistler, BC. Thanks to all who came out to support us and our amazing Indigenous artisan vendors. Looking forward to another great season! ⛷️🏔️ ❄️

Science must be ethical and serve the public good. But it should not be ruled by popularity. Truth is often uncomfortable. The call of the scientist is to seek that truth regardless. To expand the potential & wellbeing of humanity. Not shrink ourselves to the boundaries of convenience or approval.

Canada losing measles elimination status is a #publichealth bellwether, indicative of eroding collective action across communities and sectors. Declining public sentiment around childhood #vaccination is but one symptom of a larger problem. Investing in relationships and communication is vital.

This can’t be happening Canada has lost its measles elimination status after more than 25 years

Beadwork in progress: I’ve been working on this medallion on and off for YEARS as a gift for my [now] husband, who is an avid Giants fan. ⚾️ Finally returning to it to get it finished. #WIP #Beadwork #Indigisky

If you told high school me, who took English online simply to avoid having to give a presentation, how many public speaking engagements I have in the next few months, she would probably die

Please join Indigenous Women Outdoors for a night of films, cultural programming, thoughtful discourse, and fundraising! Open to ALL people able to make their way to Whistler, BC on November 15th (don’t forget your snow tires!) #IndigenousVoices Sign up: indigenouswomenoutdoors.ca/rooted-risin...

How much are MPs entitled to know about research grants? Not as much as they think. A parliamentary committee is asking for researchers' personal information in what seems like an anti-DEI crusade, by @picardonhealth.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti... via @theglobeandmail.com

…with measles. You can get a post-exposure measles vaccine within 72 hours that may reduce the risk of severe disease, or immunoglobulin can be administered up to 6 days post-exposure. By refusing contact tracing, this person may well kill someone who could have been protected.

In case anyone needs a reminder of how successful the Republican attack on public health has been: A person who is the first probable measles case near Salt Lake City refuses to speak to the health department, so anyone they came into contact with can’t be warned. This is especially insidious…

Researchers at USask are studying the physical fitness of Métis Red River Jigging. If you're 18-50, not diagnosed with diabetes or heart disease, not pregnant, and can dance the "Double Step" and perform 8 changes, join us! Full details in the image. #MétisHealth #USask #Research

I still blame the lodged ball.

I feel seen! I don’t fit neatly in my discipline, yet I’m part of many different communities. The PhD as a journey of self-discovery really resonates; I owe so much of who I am to those 5 years. Including my place beside @aadita.bsky.social on the burnout spectrum. podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/a...

I received my flu + COVID vaccines at my local pharmacy yesterday, and the pharmacist asked if I am travelling soon. I said no, why? He said, “I feel like I only see people your age this early if they’re planning to go somewhere.” Hmm.

Check out our new paper @nejm.org. RSV, COVID-19 & Influenza vaccines continue to show consistent effectiveness & safety based on a review & synthesis of 500+ research studies👇! We worked hard to evaluate the evidence so you can be confident about getting vaccinated this fall!

A new study shows that COVID19 during pregnancy was associated with a significant increase in the odds of neurodevelopmental conditions in offspring. This supports literature suggesting that infections during pregnancy can increase the odds of ASD in offspring. It also supports vaccination.

From the #TBR (audio) pile: Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker (2020). A fascinating and deeply sad story of a family of 12 children, in which 6 of the 10 sons suffer from severe schizophrenia. Unfathomable large family dynamics and the early days of psychiatry, neurobiology, and genetics. #Booksky

In our recent review we found that many GBMSM delay seeking medical care or vaccination for #mpox due to the *anticipation* of stigma. This shows that deeply entrenched discriminatory patterns persist, and need to be unlearned, in public health; patterns that echo the HIV era. www.mdpi.com/3556898

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Please join Indigenous Women Outdoors for a night of films, cultural programming, thoughtful discourse, and fundraising! Open to ALL people able to make their way to Whistler, BC on November 15th (don’t forget your snow tires!) #IndigenousVoices Sign up: indigenouswomenoutdoors.ca/rooted-risin...

I’ve never read a book I didn’t like. Why? Because if I’m not into a book I stop reading it 😂 life’s too short and there are simply too many books. For this reason you will probably never see a terribly negative book review from me. Unless I start a “from the #DNF pile” series 🤔 #Booksky

From the #TBR pile: The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride (2023). A beautiful story of a multicultural American town in the early to mid 1900s, told through the perspectives of a varied cast of characters. Diversity, love, community, hardship, and richness on full display. #Booksky

Dismantling the Institutional Review Board (IRB), that oversees all human subjects research, is bad. Really bad.

It was a great experience hosting four Indigenous youth in the Indigenous Health Research Unit at VCHRI through seed2STEM this summer. Two worked with me to support the Nuxalk-BCGH Traditional Foods Project, and two supported a smoking cessation project. #IndigenousResearch #IndigenousScience

This one spent a very short time on the #TBR pile: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (2022). An interesting story about the work and complicated lives of two friends who met in the hospital as children, bonded over video games, and go on to become influential game designers.

From the #TBR pile, for #spookyseason: Never Whistle At Night, an anthology by Shane Hawk and Theodore C Van Alst Jr (2023). If you didn’t already know, Indigenous writers do horror VERY well. I even had to skip one story in this collection (sorry Carson Faust, but my brother’s name is Callum!) 🫣

Beautiful day in the Coquihalla alpine yesterday. #BlueSky (🤭)

Recently finished from the #TBR pile: The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt (2013) is my favourite book of the year. A boy’s traumatic and chaotic journey through adolescence and young adulthood spent harbouring a BIG SECRET. Riveting piece of fiction with complex characters and storylines within storylines.

Heartbreaking and enraging. 💔

Another weekend well spent catching up with friends and family in the city, getting some fresh air, finally checking out the Nuxalk Strong exhibit at MOA, and stopping by the library for a few more books for the #TBR pile. #BookSky

From the #TBR pile: Wînipêk by Niigaan Sinclair (2024). A provocative and revelatory storyteller, Niigaan will make you feel passionate about a place you may or may not have ever visited. Highly recommended reading any time, but particularly as we near the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

I often bead during online meetings; it helps me listen and really engage with people, particularly presenters. A random butterfly design from my overflowing bead box. Indig wisdom I learned a long time ago: keep your hands busy!

It can only good happen!

“This is the worst ‘health’ press conference I maybe have ever seen. And I watched every one during Covid.” — @craigspencer.bsky.social After RFK Jr & Trump claimed #Tylenol in pregnancy and #vaccines raise autism risk without evidence, doctors warn the MAHA agenda is eroding public health. More ⤵️

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This is great! Looking forward to reading. Bridging this gap is what Indigenous scholars have been advocating for decades: calling for recognition of the value and legitimacy of bridging methodologies across disciplines AND worldviews to answer complex health questions.

RFK Jr.‘s advisory panel, amidst rushed confusion, votes to rescind the MMRV recommendation. “It was unclear whether the members all understood what they were voting for” is not a sentence I want to read after decisions like this. More votes to come, COVID tomorrow. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/18/h...

From the #TBR *audio* pile: The Push by Ashley Audrain (2021). When I tell you I ignored my husband for an entire day last weekend because I could not turn this off!! I’m sorta picky about psychological dramas but this was unputdownable. I don’t think I ever even hit pause haha.

From the #TBR pile: Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner (2021), which I read last August. You will seriously want to eat this book. An ode to her mother, her culture, and good food. Special appearance: my dog Kya who, despite being unable to read, spends a lot of time hanging around the library.

This is abhorrent. And so deeply sad. The parallels to the residential school system in Canada are poignant.

From the #TBR pile: The Other Valley by (local author!) Scott Alexander Howard (2024). I am so impressed by the simple yet vast world building in this alternate universe where to travel between valleys is to travel through time.