Chantelle Richmond
Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair
University of Western Ontario
Learn About My Career
I study human-environment relationships in the Indigenous context.
I was born/grew up in: Toronto, Ontario
I now live in: London, Ontario
I completed my training/education at: BA/ MA McMaster University; PhD McGill University/ PostDoc Fellowship University of Toronto
I am a member of the Biigtigong Nishnaabeg (formerly Pic River) First Nation.
I focus on Indigenous health and the environment. I teach undergraduate students in Geography and Indigenous Studies. In these courses I teach about the special relationships Indigenous Peoples hold to the Land. I also look at the various things that have changed the nature of this relationship. This includes such things as colonialism and dispossession of traditional lands. I also address what that means for Indigenous health and wellness.
My research is community engaged. This means we work with communities to develop and respond to questions THEY want to know about. Our work focusses mostly on the qualitative realm. This involves their stories, experiences, and perceptions.
In high school, I thought I would be a gym teacher! Turns out I still love exercise, sport and especially running. I use exercise to help me manage the intellectual and emotional energy used in my work. Physical activity helps my mental and emotional well-being.
As a young native learner in Geography, I learned quickly that I already understood much of what was being taught to me. I believe this was because I was raised in Northern Ontario, where I spent a lot of time in the bush and on the river!
Years later, I see that my training and academic experiences have taught me a lot of skills and methods. I also see that my original passions are what I always return to. These passions include my family and my community. It also includes our connection to the Land. Your values and passions are what makes you "YOU!" This is a special quality. It is so important that you hold on to that place and space of knowing. It will guide you when you lose your way in academia.
I love to teach and inspire young people - especially Indigenous people. By sharing my own story, I hope to demonstrate that research is a place where we can all succeed.
My goal is to engage more Indigenous People and communities in research. This will support them to be decision makers about their own health and environmental futures. I also want to bring understanding to wider audiences about how Indigenous inequity is rooted in historic and on-going processes of colonialism.
My children keep me very busy! Maya is 12 and William is 9 and both enjoy competitive swimming. This means I spend a lot of time at the pool. My husband and I love to travel. We also love to walk our family dog, Princess Leia. Being with family and friends is a great way to unwind, especially when we can be in nature.
Follow your heart! Don’t get too caught up in the long-term journey. Learning happens day by day. The journey is not just about moving along in career, but about becoming a better, wiser person. I never imagined that I would be a Professor! Yet here I am. I have had many important mentors along the way. I am so grateful for every bit of support and encouragement they offered me. You can do and be whatever you put your mind to. 
What I do at work
I focus on Indigenous health and the environment. I teach undergraduate students in Geography and Indigenous Studies. In these courses I teach about the special relationships Indigenous Peoples hold to the Land. I also look at the various things that have changed the nature of this relationship. This includes such things as colonialism and dispossession of traditional lands. I also address what that means for Indigenous health and wellness.
My research is community engaged. This means we work with communities to develop and respond to questions THEY want to know about. Our work focusses mostly on the qualitative realm. This involves their stories, experiences, and perceptions.
My career path is
In high school, I thought I would be a gym teacher! Turns out I still love exercise, sport and especially running. I use exercise to help me manage the intellectual and emotional energy used in my work. Physical activity helps my mental and emotional well-being.
As a young native learner in Geography, I learned quickly that I already understood much of what was being taught to me. I believe this was because I was raised in Northern Ontario, where I spent a lot of time in the bush and on the river!
Years later, I see that my training and academic experiences have taught me a lot of skills and methods. I also see that my original passions are what I always return to. These passions include my family and my community. It also includes our connection to the Land. Your values and passions are what makes you "YOU!" This is a special quality. It is so important that you hold on to that place and space of knowing. It will guide you when you lose your way in academia.
I am motivated by
I love to teach and inspire young people - especially Indigenous people. By sharing my own story, I hope to demonstrate that research is a place where we can all succeed.
How I affect peoples’ lives
My goal is to engage more Indigenous People and communities in research. This will support them to be decision makers about their own health and environmental futures. I also want to bring understanding to wider audiences about how Indigenous inequity is rooted in historic and on-going processes of colonialism.
Outside of work I
My children keep me very busy! Maya is 12 and William is 9 and both enjoy competitive swimming. This means I spend a lot of time at the pool. My husband and I love to travel. We also love to walk our family dog, Princess Leia. Being with family and friends is a great way to unwind, especially when we can be in nature.
My advice to others
Follow your heart! Don’t get too caught up in the long-term journey. Learning happens day by day. The journey is not just about moving along in career, but about becoming a better, wiser person. I never imagined that I would be a Professor! Yet here I am. I have had many important mentors along the way. I am so grateful for every bit of support and encouragement they offered me. You can do and be whatever you put your mind to.
I am Indigenous
I am a member of the Biigtigong Nishnaabeg (formerly Pic River) First Nation.
When I was a student I enjoyed:
- Literature and Language Arts
- Physical Education/Health
- Reading and Writing
When I was a student, I would describe myself as someone who:
- Brought people together
- Always wanted to be outside
- Played on a sports team
- Liked reading
Partners
Royal Society of Canada
Let’s Talk Science appreciates the support of the Royal Society of Canada in connecting us with this individual.
The Royal Society of Canada is a member driven organization that recognizes Canada's leading scholars, researchers, artists and scientists from across disciplines and across generations in order to help build a better future in Canada and around the world. Let’s Talk Science and the Royal Society of Canada work together to provide timely content on issues that affect us all – from education to the impact of leading-edge scientific discoveries.
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