Jenny Gardipy is a mother of six and Kokom (grandmother in Cree) of four from Beardy’s and Okemasis First in Treaty 6 Territory. Jenny currently completes her 1st year as a PhD student in the Indigenous Studies Department at the University of Saskatchewan. Jenny graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 2011 with a
Master’s degree in Public Health. Immediately after obtaining her degrees, she worked with national and local health organizations before becoming the Director of Health for her community. Jenny then joined the federal government in December 2016 as the Director of Business Operations for the First Nation and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB), Saskatchewan Region, which is now named the Indigenous Services Canada. Jenny always had an interest in working in the health field and strongly believes that Indigenous peoples have the capacity and knowledge to make healthy changes in their communities. Jenny is passionate about taking an active role in helping communities move towards better health outcomes. Jenny’s mother went blind when I was 13-years old and Jenny witnessed the lack of health services that many in the disabled community face. Jenny’s late father survived the Indian Residential School and passed away on February 15, 2018. Jenny believes her late father’s humble and Nehiyaw (Cree) ways of being continue to be her foundation. Jenny would like her research to contribute to positive health outcomes of Indigenous peoples with physical disabilities.