Maureen Gustafson

Anishinaabe – Couchiching First Nation

Maureen is an Anishinaabekwe with Ojibwe, Swedish, and Polish roots. Her Anishinaabe name is Nibwaakan Manidoo Gizhigook. A member of Couchiching First Nation (Treaty 3 Territory), she grew up nearby in Fort Frances, Ontario. She is a loving daughter, sister, auntie, friend, and partner.

Maureen obtained an Honours Bachelor of Arts from McMaster University in 2017 and a Master of Public Health with specializations in Health Promotion and Indigenous Health from the University of Toronto in 2019. Through her coursework, she has studied the intimate relationship between ecological and human health, particularly in the context of Indigenous communities. She is a passionate advocate for the value of Indigenous ways of knowing, doing, and being in promoting ecological health.

Maureen’s work is also informed by professional experience at Indigenous-led research institutes in both Canada and Australia as well as health and social service providers. She is currently working as a Health Promotion Planner with a portfolio dedicated to Indigenous health and engagement.