Organizing Committee

Melanie’s maternal grandmother was born a member of Seabird Island First Nation and married into Samahquam First Nation (St’at’imc Nation), which is the band Melanie belongs to. Her maternal grandfather was a member of Squiala First Nation (Stó:lō Nation). Melanie has been learning traditional approaches to wellness from Saa Hiil Thut Elder Gerry Oleman (St’at’imc Nation) in addition to her Western training since she began her doctoral studies. Her research explores Indigenous parent experience with diagnostic processes and how Indigenous youth identify and access supports for mental health and wellness. Other research interests include the intersection of Indigeneity and inclusive education, Indigenous land education, and working with 2STNGD youth. Melanie has experience teaching K-12 in general education, adapted, modified, and alternate settings. She was a school psychologist in schools and a clinician in private and not-for-profit settings, and currently works with First Nations communities in BC.

Kate Rho is a first-generation immigrant settler living on the unceded traditional territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, sel̓íl̓witulh, and sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nations. As the research lab manager of the Anxiety Stress and Autism Program lab in the Department of Psychology, she conducts research on autism and co-occurring mental health conditions. In her spare time, she likes to cook Korean food and cuddle with her cat.

Yasmin is a bi-racial, second-generation immigrant and settler, living, learning, and working on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Stó:lō (Stolo), Tsleil-Waututh, and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nations. Her research focuses on school integration, the experiences of newcomer youth, and wellness, all framed through a critical social justice lens.

Carla is Jamaican-Canadian and she is pursuing a Doctorate in Education in Counselling Psychology (Counselling and Psychotherapy) at the University of Toronto | Ontario Institute for Studies in Education with the Centre for Diversity in Counselling and Psychotherapy. She is a settler, who was born and raised and currently lives on the Treaty Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and before them, the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Huron and Wendat. She is a Counsellor in the Centre for Accessible Learning and Counselling Services at Centennial College, a position she has held for the last 15 years. She is currently Chair of the College Committee on Accessibility Issues. Her research interests are critical multicultural counselling and Black masculinity psychotherapy.

Angela is an MA student in Counselling and Clinical Psychology at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto. Her research interests include the intersection between relationships, trauma, and well-being, particularly in marginalized communities. Her MA thesis will focus on domestic violence survivors, and how their intersectional identities shaped experiences seeking safety within the Canadian healthcare system.

Roy Moodley, PhD., is an associate professor in Clinical and Counselling Psychology at OISE/ University of Toronto.  Roy is also the Director of the Centre for Diversity in Counselling and Psychotherapy (CDCP) at the University of Toronto.

Hira Peracha is a PhD student in the School and Applied Child Psychology program at the University of British Columbia, where she also completed her undergraduate studies in psychology. She is interested in research on social and emotional learning and mental health.

Deanna is a first year master’s student in Counselling and Clinical Psychology at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). For her master’s thesis, she is building upon her undergraduate research, which examined the discourse surrounding racial passing on social media, by exploring the complexities of mixed-race identity. She is also currently working on a project that outlines the history of mixed-race relationships in Canada.”