Alex Trottier

Alex is an Indigenous educator with over a decade of experience working in the realm of social services and education. While born and raised in Hamilton Ontario, Alex is of Kanyen:kehá:ka, Wolf Clan, and mixed settler heritage and a member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte (Tyendinaga). Of note, she was the inaugural Executive Director of the Indigenous Health Learning Lodge at McMaster University – a structural entity within the Faculty of Health Sciences dedicated to incorporating Indigenous reconciliation (and the TRC calls to action) into the Faculty of Health Sciences. Alex provided Indigenous leadership and support to the whole spectrum of stakeholders in this realm from hospital CEOs to students. While at McMaster, Alex worked with her team to implement and enhance cultural safety training for health focused professionals. Alex often provided workshops and short teaching sessions to students and faculty who were interested in learning more about Indigenous experiences in the healthcare field because they felt the current curriculum was lacking. She also developed an “auntie in residence” role to have cultural support available to students and to have someone who is well versed in traditional knowledge to advise the Lodge. Alex strongly believes that the work she does should support the community and strongly values non-hierarchical systems, equity and consensus building. She has also taught at Mohawk College and developed degree level curriculum for Indigenous studies courses.

Alex also has mental health and managerial experience from her time as the manager for mental health services at De dwa da deh>s nyes Aboriginal Health Centre. Alex managed and grew the mental health team through the pandemic and both supported her team and their clients mental health through that turbulent time. She also has a great deal of frontline experience working in the child welfare sector having worked for several years in group homes in the Hamilton/Guelph/Kitchener area. Additionally, Alex has worked as a systems advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities. Alex has a diverse educational background with an MSW from Wilfrid Laurier, her Child & Youth Worker Diploma from Mohawk College and a BA in Psychology with a Minor in Indigenous Studies from McMaster University. When not working as an educator Alex can be found at home with her daughter and her cat tinkering with her various artistic or other endeavours.