Research Assistants
Daelynne Stevens
Daelynne is an Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) youth participating in the IEHRA project while attending post-secondary in Edmonton, Alberta. At school, Daelynne is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Biodiversity so that she can continue to work alongside her nation in environmental and impacted community issues. Taking interest in subjects discussing Indigenous topics, Daelynne is learning to incorporate Western-based education with intrinsic Indigenous Knowledge to stay connected and grounded to her community.
Marc Calabretta
Marc Calabretta is a PhD student in the Department of Political Science at the University of Toronto. His research interests lie at the intersection of international political economy, climate finance, and development. His emerging research interests involve international climate finance commitments countries are mobilizing for climate adaptation projects across the Global South. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Geography (Queen’s University), where he worked with Huu-ay-aht First Nations on Vancouver Island, Canada to examine the negotiation of the Maa-nulth Treaty, a multi-nation modern land claim agreement. He also has over five years’ experience in Professional Project Management.
Volunteers
Emma South
Emma is a dedicated Volunteer Research Student at the IndigenERA Lab and is working towards obtaining her Bachelor of Bio-Resource Management with a major in Environmental Management from the University of Guelph in the spring. Emma is passionate about the intersections of environmental health, Indigenous knowledge, and sustainable development. Emma’s aspirations include contributing to the well-being and self-determination of Indigenous communities and rural areas, ensuring their voices are heard and respected in environmental and development decisions. She is excited about the opportunity to make a tangible difference through her academic and research journey. In her free time, Emma enjoys going to the gym, camping, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.
Rachael Contini
Rachael Contini is a fifth-year student at the University of Guelph, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, and majoring in Environmental Resource Management. She has been part of the IndigenERA team since Spring 2023 as a volunteer research assistant. Throughout her undergrad, she has developed a strong interest and passion in Indigenous Geographies and was especially influenced by one of Dr. Diana Lewis’s classes, which focused heavily on her work with Indigenous communities in Northern Alberta and the disproportional impacts of the Tar Sands. Rachael is passionate about the environment and thoroughly enjoys hiking, camping, and anything that has to do with water and cards! She is looking forward to all that she is set out to learn with the team!