Cohort 3

Jacklyn Desharnais (she/her) is a student in the Master of Social Work based in Indigenous Knowledges at the University of Manitoba (U of M). She completed her Bachelor of Social Work in 2024, and her Bachelor of Arts in 2020, both at the U of M. Jacklyn is passionate about helping others and eager to learn. Her professional experience includes supporting children and adults with disabilities and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as providing social work services through Jordan’s Principle to First Nation communities throughout Manitoba. In addition to supporting people with disabilities, ASD, and First Nation communities, she has worked as a research coordinator on several interdisciplinary teams. Jacklyn is committed to conducting research that supports meaningful change and advances the well-being of individuals, families and communities.

The work that she has done in First Nation communities has inspired her thesis research and deepened her commitment to finding ways to incorporate culturally grounded approaches to Indigenous health and wellness. Under the supervision of Dr. Ashley Stewart-Tufecu, explores Indigenous adolescents’ experiences in a learn-to-run program and its influences on their wholistic well-being, connection to culture, and sense of belonging. Her research is supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Strategic Master’s Award. She hopes that her research will help to inform other land and movement-based, culturally grounded programs for Indigenous adolescents in Manitoba. Jacklyn is delighted to join Cohort 3 for CARe-RTP.