The program invites students to engage with Indigenous knowledge and address contemporary Indigenous issues

The Indigenous Studies Department at McMaster University launched its MA in Indigenous Studies program this year, welcoming its first cohort of students in September 2024. The new program allows students to engage deeply with Indigenous education, knowledge, histories and contemporary issues through both academic study and community-based research.

The program offers two distinct tracks: a 12-month major research project and a 16-month community-based research project. All students complete three core courses—Indigenous Studies Research Methods (INDIGIST 702), Theories in Critical Indigenous Studies (INDIGST 701), and Indigenous Studies Experiential Learning (INDIGIST 704)—along with three elective courses of their choice.

In an email statement to the Silhouette, Renae Watchman, chair of the Indigenous studies graduate committee, stated that students participate in a year-long, non-credit professional development course. Those in the major research project stream must write a paper 7,500 to 8,000 words long, while the community-based research project requires a final paper of 10,000 to 12,500 words.

Kelsey Chan, a member of the first cohort who chose the major research project, shared her enthusiasm in an interview with The Silhouette: "It's the best decision I could have made." Chan, of Indigenous and Chinese descent, is of the Eagle Clan of the House of Chief Wigvitba-Wákas. After completing her undergraduate studies in political science and Indigenous studies at McMaster, she felt this program was a perfect fit.

Chan’s research explores the long-term impacts of colonial legislation, particularly the Indian Act, on Indigenous sovereignty. “The Indian Act restricted Indigenous people's rights to governance, culture, and language,” said Chan. "Reclaiming Indigenous sovereignty is key to self-determination and healing.” Her work is deeply personal, as both her grandparents are residential school survivors and her mother attended an Indian Day School.

Chan explained how the program allows her to focus on her passion for governance and policy. "There are very few opportunities to pursue a master's degree in Indigenous studies in Canada... It was difficult to find both the opportunity and the faculty who understand your position and your identity," said Chan.

There are very few opportunities to pursue a master's degree in Indigenous studies in Canada. It was difficult to find both the opportunity and the faculty who understand your position and your identity.

Kelsy Chan, Master's Student
MPR Indigenous Studies

Kendall Garlow, another student in the program, is completing the community-based research route. A member of the Mohawk Nation and Wolf Clan from Six Nations of the Grand River, Garlow focuses on Indigenous food sovereignty, working with Six Nations Health Services. Her research engages closely with her community in discussions about preserving traditional food practices. "We’re making menu changes in long-term care homes to increase Haudenosaunee food availability," said Garlow, noting collaborations with local vendors, hunters, and gatherers.

The program challenges students to rethink conventional frameworks and integrate Indigenous worldviews. Garlow emphasized how this has shaped her own studies. "It pushes you to think critically about what you've learned and encourages you to question and challenge those ideas," said Garlow. This approach allows students to move beyond Eurocentric methodologies and focus on addressing the specific needs of their communities.

"We kept getting stuck trying to define Haudenosaunee food... We realized we needed to step back and figure out what works for our community. We're asking people, 'What is Haudenosaunee food to you?' 'What does that look like?'" said, Garlow.

Garlow and Chan highlighted the program’s supportive environment and staff and faculty who Garlow noted as being incredibly responsive, providing assistance with professional development and future planning. “Everyone asks, "What do you need?"... it feels like I'm able to do the things that I want to do," said Garlow. Chan expressed a similar sentiment, “The faculty listens to us and is forward-thinking about our needs, offering resources like CV workshops and PhD guidance," said Chan.

It feels like I'm able to do the things that I want to do.

Kendal Garlow, Master's Student 
CRB Indigenous Studies

The program welcomes non-Indigenous students, fostering opportunities for cross-cultural learning and understanding. "No one can help us better than ourselves, but non-Indigenous voices are important too. There's value in both perspectives," said Garlow.

No one can help us better than ourselves, but non-Indigenous voices are important too.

Kendal Garlow, Master's Student 
CRB Indigenous Studies

Chan expressed her excitement for the upcoming year: "They’ve already built such an incredible program," said Chan. Applications for the 2025 intake are now open, and the program is expected to grow, providing a foundation for future scholars to enrich Indigenous studies and promote community-based learning.

Photo by Kyle West

In Canada there are no National Football League teams, so the way fans choose who they will support is by following in the footsteps of their family or friends, or by becoming in awe of a certain player that leads them to a team.

For Vanessa Matyas, marketing & media manager for NFL Canada, the former is how her journey with the NFL began. Growing up Canadian, Toronto teams like the Toronto Raptors and the Maple Leafs were all she really knew.

That is until she got older and became a student at McMaster University, where football became a part of her social life. But it was not just the social aspect of football that caught her attention, the New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees did too.

“I started falling in love with Drew Brees as a person because he just seemed so nice and personable, and that really got me more interested in the New Orleans Saints,” said Matyas. “The year that the devastation that was Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans was the same year they won a Super Bowl, and it really brought back so much joy to that city. That is when I started really to see the magic behind football and really get into the battles in the on-field action and the whole story around everything.”

Though Matyas knew that she had a new-found love for football, she was not entirely sure what she wanted after her undergrad in communication studies at Mac. This uncertainty led her to apply for her Master of Arts in communications and new media at McMaster.

“Part of the reason I decided to do my master’s was because I wasn't sure what my next step was going to be,” Matyas said. “So I thought getting a master’s would help set me apart from other job candidates.”

Following her master’s, Matyas got the opportunity to move to Geneva, Switzerland to work for a non-governmental organization. Although it was an amazing opportunity and everything she thought she would love, her mind kept going back to how much she loved sports and how amazing it would be to work in media or sports. When she returned to Canada, she applied and was lucky enough to land a digital marketing job with Rogers Media.

“While I was there, I was very vocal with my boss about how I wanted to take on other brands if I had the opportunity,” said Matyas. “So just from being partially in the right place and the right time and also being my own personal advocate, I got to expand to other brands which were two sports brands.”

In Matyas’ three years with Rogers, she focused on working on the skills that would help her do a great job in the sports world. Instead of worrying about not having that dream job of working in sports, she focused on getting the skill set that she needed to apply that to her passion later on.

This ability to focus on the big picture is something she credits McMaster for giving her. Along with education, connections, lifelong best friends and memories, she left with a valuable lesson that ultimately got her where she is today.

“Looking at the big picture of things is what Mac really showed me. I think when you're here, you're so focused on looking at the task at hand, but you don't really see what it is leading towards or what you're working towards,” said Matyas. “I think Mac really showed me the value of the big picture and not sweating the small stuff along the way.”

When she applied for the role with NFL Canada, she had not only the passion for the role, but the actual skills the job required. Now she wakes up every day working for a company that not only she loves, but one where she deserves to be. Matyas works with NFL Canada’s media partners to further promote the NFL in Canada and marketing initiatives such as influencer and public relations programs, player marketing and social and digital campaigns.

#SuperBowlLlll was definitely a weekend to remember! #SBLIII #NFLCanada pic.twitter.com/rKgJqp3dbA

— Vanessa Matyas (@vmats14) February 5, 2019

But one of her most rewarding tasks is that she gets to bring little pieces of the NFL to Canada, so people can bond with the players and ultimately start following teams. One of her most memorable moments so far has been the 2019 Super Bowl in Atlanta. Not only was being in ‘NFL-land’ surreal for her, being able to bring Canadians to experience the joy of football was something that will stick with her forever.

“The experience and bringing [fans] down is very special for them, but it will always be such a big memory for me too,” said Matyas. “To see what the passion of sports does, helps us to remember why we do what we do.”

When the game becomes more than just a game! 🙌

Tell us your stories Canada, let us know why you love the @NFL! 🇨🇦🏈 #SuperBowlSurprise pic.twitter.com/MhPvZ7bcng

— NFL Canada (@NFLCanada) March 3, 2019

To those who look at Matyas’ journey, it may seem like she had it all figured out, but she constantly reminds those who are just starting out that there are always going to be challenges along the way, and to not let them discourage you from your goal.

“My career wasn't a clear path of sports, so getting back into what I wanted was hard when I was ready to leave Rogers. I was looking for other jobs which was very discouraging because there were many nos before there was a yes,” said Matyas. “That can be really hard to take in especially when you feel like you're prepared for the role and you have a skill set that you need, but you can’t let it get you off your path. Just know that you're working towards something better and all of those nos and let downs are going in a direction that you're supposed to be.”

Matyas’ journey to the NFL is an example for all of us, those who want to work in the sports industry and those who do not. If you work hard, even when it is not what you love, eventually you will see the return on your investment and find the way to be rewarded for your passion.

 

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By: Steven Chen

As the rustling shuffles of students reawaken the campus this fall, McMaster aims to bring new flavour with the launch of the Master of Public Health graduate program.

Led by McMaster University’s Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, the MPH program applies the department’s rich expertise in health policy analysis and research within the practical field of public health.

McMaster’s interest in public health came shortly after the SARS outbreak of 2003. Professor Holger Schünemann, chair of the Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, lead the development of the MPH program over several years along with Professor Julie Emili, program director of the Public Health and Preventive Medicine Program at McMaster. The program is directed by Dr. Fran Scott, an alumni of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine.

The Master of Public Health program concentrates on advancing the education of students by offering a flexible, practical, meaningful and evidence-based approach to addressing public health challenges in local communities and beyond.

“The MPH program is very much going to be integrating community engagement in its courses,” said Scott. “There is also the practicum, which is a four-month placement at a public health or community agency. The students will bring their own expertise but they will also learn from the agency about how to work with the community.”

Additionally, the program sets out to encourage students to contribute to the community. “We are encouraging students within the program to take on leadership roles,” she said. “By providing them these practical opportunities to take on challenges, they will refine their skills in cultural competency, communication, advocacy, analysis and articulation of evidence.”

Applicants for the MPH program’s inaugural class had to meet a broad range of criteria, such as previous work experience and having career goals aligned with the program’s objectives.

“We are definitely looking for people that are self-directed…Teamwork skills are necessary because a considerable amount of the program revolves around peer learning,” said Scott.

Considering McMaster’s long-standing global reputation for innovative learning, the Master of Public Health program aims to distinguish itself from other Canadian programs by featuring a unique approach to the area of public and population health.

“We are starting locally and extending the material to the provincial, federal and global levels,” said Scott. “In this way, we offer an education that complements the Master of Science in Global Health, although much of what we teach are similar skills.”

The MPH program also offers the option of doing a thesis project along with the practicum. “Not many [master’s programs] do across Canada, most of them are practicum-based, but because we have a lot of research here at McMaster, we really wanted to create the next generation of research initiatives and collaborations,” Scott added.

With the first classes of the MPH program starting this week, Dr. Fran Scott has made it a priority to deliver a quality education for all her students.

“We wanted to start with 25 full-time students, since it helps to ensure a quality experience,” said Scott. “We do not wish to have agencies take on several students, we want them to take on just one student and make it a really good experience.”

“Public health in Ontario is continuously changing… and I expect for it to change in terms of its organization, the problems it will focus on and the resources it will have,” said Scott.

“We want very much for the students to be aware of this and we are hoping to teach them that kind of flexibility so that they will be able to respond to these changes when they graduate.”