Bio
Jennifer Walker is a Haudenosaunee member of the Six Nations of the Grand River and a health services researcher. She is also an associate professor in the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact at McMaster University and co-lead of the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration and Aging’s (CCNA) Team 18 – Issues in Dementia Care for Indigenous Populations. The priorities and activities of her team are focused on: improved diagnosis and surveillance of dementia in Indigenous populations; understanding the connection between cultural and societal factors influencing wellness in the progression and expression of dementia; development of culturally safe, trauma informed approaches to addressing dementia; and capacity building for Indigenous dementia research. The collaborative research that Dr. Walker leads is transforming the capacity of Indigenous communities and health services organizations in Ontario and across Canada to address complex health challenges, specifically in relation to aging and dementia.