Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025): Pawaatamihk: Relationality, Ethics and Identity
Scholarly Papers

Mentorship, Misrepresentation, and Moving Forward: Reflections from a team of Métis Scholars in Indigenous Health Research

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  • Ashley Hayward,
  • Monica Cyr,
  • Charlene Hallett
Ashley Hayward
University of Winnipeg
Bio
Monica Cyr
University of Manitoba; Aboriginal Health & Wellness Centre of Winnipeg
Bio
Charlene Hallett
Aboriginal Health & Wellness Centre of Winnipeg, Inc.
Bio
Image credit for film photograph(s): George Gibson iPhone photo credits: Claire Johnston Title of work: 'how do you use your medicine?' Date: 2025 Medium: Black canvas, neon spray painted wooden beads, acrylic beads, nylon thread, climbing rope, ribbon Ownership: collection of the artist Dimensions: 6 ft x 8 ft
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36939/pawaatamihk/vol2no2/art107
Categories

Published 2025-12-22

Keywords

  • Indigenous identity fraud,
  • identity politics,
  • pretendian,
  • mentorship,
  • misrepresentation

How to Cite

Hayward, A., Cyr, M., & Hallett, C. (2025). Mentorship, Misrepresentation, and Moving Forward: Reflections from a team of Métis Scholars in Indigenous Health Research. Pawaatamihk: Journal of Métis Thinkers, 2(2), 34–54. https://doi.org/10.36939/pawaatamihk/vol2no2/art107

Copyright (c) 2025 Ashley Hayward; Monica Cyr, Charlene Hallett

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Abstract

In Indigenous health research (IHR), mentorship shapes career trajectories, influences relationships with communities, and creates opportunities for growth. This paper presents reflections from Métis scholars whose early careers were influenced by a mentor later alleged to have misrepresented their identity. We examine how this experience disrupted academic and community relationships, eroded trust, and required navigation of complex emotional and political contexts. Grounded in Métis ways of knowing, we highlight both the harms experienced and the resilience fostered through new kinship networks. We conclude by outlining strategies to rebuild trust, support Indigenous scholars, and advance IHR with integrity and care.

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