A University of Saskatchewan (U of S) medical anthropologist has received one of Canada’s most prestigious research awards.
James Waldram was honoured Tuesday in Ottawa as one of five recipients of the 2016 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) awards.
READ MORE: U of S scientists believe they have discovered cure for food allergies
Officials with SSHRC, a federal research funding agency, said Waldram’s scholarly work is seen as the gold standard of knowledge about indigenous and First Nations health and healing.
“The Insight Award is an affirmation that the time that you put into your research career is being validated at the highest levels by your peers and colleagues,” Waldram said.
“But the real highlights for me are the kinds of things that happen when you take your research back to the communities and share it with them and they appreciate that you are making a real impact for them.”
Waldram also received $50,000 in research funding.
READ MORE: Former premier Roy Romanow named next University of Saskatchewan chancellor
The U of S professor has documented traditional aboriginal knowledge, practices and healing techniques throughout North America and Central America.
Waldram was even invited by a group of Maya healers to lead a research team. His work can be seen in the film Healthy People, Beautiful Life: Maya Healers of Belize which documents Q’eqchi’ medical knowledge and cultural traditions as they exist today.
“Professor Waldram is internationally renowned as a leader in researching indigenous health, and we are proud that his outstanding work is being recognized with this national award,” U of S president Peter Stoicheff said.
Over a 33-year academic career, Waldram has authored 14 books on aboriginal health and healing and more than 40 journal articles. He was elected as a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 2014.
Comments