Overview
Work History
Education
Academic Experience
Upcoming Publications
Extracurricular activities
Certification
Languages
Timeline
ResearchAssistant

Emma Gaffney-Ladd

Stratford,ON

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Research Assistant

Atlohsa Native Family Healing Services
06.2024 - Current

I'm currently on the Giwetashkad Indigenous Homelessness Team as an assistant researcher for the Action Research on Chronic Homelessness (ARCH) study to address systemic barriers for Indigenous peoples within London's Coordinated Access System for Housing and Homelessness.

  • The lead presenter for our research on an Indigenous-led Coordinated Access approach at the national-wide Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness conference in Ottawa, ON.
  • Conducted research and analysis in the area of Indigenous homelessness, coordinated access, reaching home, and Indigenous methodologies
  • Hosted and coordinated sharing circles, lived experience interviews, and an Indigenous advisory circle
  • Participated actively and helped coordinate regular meetings with fellow researchers to discuss project updates, challenges faced, and lessons learned during ongoing activities.
  • Working on developing and administering a culturally-relevant assessment tool to replace the VI-SPDAT/SPDAT
  • Collaborating with the City of London, DPRA, and our external funders at HICC (Housing, Infrastructure, Communities Canada) Government of Canada.
  • Contributed to the development of research proposals, aligning with strategic objectives and securing project approvals/budgets.
  • Working on developing policy recommendations for the Canadian Federal Government (HICC) and interventions to test within London, Ontario

Volunteer Coordinator

EatFit
10.2016 - 01.2020

The EatFit project was designed to contribute to the overall nutritional, physical, and mental health of all Canadians, where it specifically worked toward ending food insecurity in Indigenous communities across the country.

  • Worked in two remote communities located in Nunavut, Pangnirtung and Kinngait (previously known as Cape Dorset)
  • Worked to combat against food insecurity within these communities
  • Collaborated with elders and members of the community to learn and provide resources for traditional methods of hunting, food consumption, living off the land, etc
  • Worked to support children while working at a summer camp
  • Collaborated with other non-profit organizations such as Embrace Life, a suicide awareness organization

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Political Science

University of Toronto
Toronto, ON
06-2024

High School Diploma -

Stratford Northwestern Secondary School
Stratford
06-2020

Academic Experience

Research Symposium April 2024: Presented my research and undergraduate thesis paper to the Critical Equity and Solidarity Studies Department and Political Science Department at New College, University of Toronto

  • Conducted research over a year through literature, archives, legal documents, and media
  • Conducted interviews and spoke with various organizations based in Rwanda
  • Qualitative and Quantitative research means through coding and data
  • Presented my undergraduate thesis The ‘Other’ and its Place Within Interstate Conflict: a Case Study of the Rwandan Genocide


CELA Belize (Engaged Learning Abroad) May 2023: a learning experience provided by the University of Toronto focusing on Indigeneity, food, and sustainability.

  • Worked and collaborated with Dr. Filiberto Penados, a Mayan scholar whose research
    focuses on Indigenous education and development.
  • Worked to combat against food insecurity and promote traditional uses of the land
    within communities such as Succotz, Laguna Village, and more
  • Worked with other organizations such as Maya Leaders Alliance (NGO) which works
    toward land rights and development for Indigenous communities within Belize
  • Spoke and worked with local farmers, health experts, and historians when
    discussing our research and learning topics


Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation 2020-2024: an organization which supports women’s education, leadership, and philanthropy, and is dedicated to fighting hunger across North America.

  • Worked to fundraise over $2000 yearly to combat food insecurity across Canada
  • Volunteered locally at St. Thomas Church “Friday Food Ministry”, a soup kitchen for the homeless population in Toronto
  • Philanthropy Committee: planned all fundraising events for the chapter and executed them in our community including two semesterly events, week of service, hunger action month, and food bank
  • Vice President of Event Planning: in charge of all chapter events including our semi-formal, formal, feast of roses, and international reunion day with our alumni
  • Vice President of Finance: looked after all chapter finances, experience with Excel, Microsoft, working with CIBC, and large sums of money

Upcoming Publications

  • "An Indigenous-Led Coordinated Access Approach in London, Ontario: The Final Report." Atlohsa Native Family Healing Services, Summer 2025

Extracurricular activities

During my undergraduate degree at UofT, I had the opportunity to collaborate with many campus organizations focused on human rights, development, and Indigenous rights:

  • Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority
  • First Nations House
  • Association of Political Science Students
  • Climate Justice UofT: The Student Voice on Environmental Justice
  • UNICEF UofT

Certification

  • Giiwitaabiwag Cultural Safety Training - Atlohsa Family Healing Services, 2024
  • CPR/AED/First Aid, 2024 - 2027
  • The Fundamentals of OCAP - First Nations Information Governance Centre, 2024
  • Combatting Anti-Black Racism Training - The Get Real Movement, 2024
  • 2SLGBTQ+ Inclusivity Training - The Get Real Movement, 2023
  • ASIST: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training - Embrace Life Council, 2018

Languages

English
Native or Bilingual
French
Limited Working

Timeline

Research Assistant

Atlohsa Native Family Healing Services
06.2024 - Current

Volunteer Coordinator

EatFit
10.2016 - 01.2020

Bachelor of Arts - Political Science

University of Toronto

High School Diploma -

Stratford Northwestern Secondary School

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Emma Gaffney-Ladd