People

Dr. Aleah Fontaine

Dr. Aleah Fontaine is an Anishinaabe, British, and German Winnipegger, and proud urban band member of Sagkeeng First Nation. She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Manitoba and is currently pursuing liscensure as a Registered Clinical Psychologist.

Dr. Fontaine is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Health Psychology within the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba and provides clinical services within the Women’s Psychology Service at the Women’s Hospital at the Health Sciences Centre. She has experience with a range of evidence-based psychological interventions, including cognitive-behavioural, psychodynamic, and acceptance and mindfulness-based therapies. She works with women who have experienced birth trauma, loss, and mood-related challenges within the perinatal period and has a particular interest in developing culturally-grounded and community-informed mental health services for Indigenous people.

Recognizing how historical and present social environments impact health across generations, her research interests include Indigenous well-being, perinatal mental health, intergenerational transmission of health, emotional responses to social injustice, reconciliation, and intergroup relations.

Meet the Lab

Teanna Palson, Undergraduate Research Award Student

Teanna is an Anishinaabe and Icelandic woman, proudly a member of Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Honours Psychology degree at the University of Manitoba. Her research interests strongly lie in clinical and community-based research, particularly in how trauma-informed and educational interventions impact mental health outcomes. Following the completion of her undergraduate degree, she intends to proceed with graduate studies in Clinical Psychology. Beyond her academic pursuits, Teanna is passionate about music and birdwatching, and values spending time with family and friends at her ranch.
Taylar Hanson-Oliveira, Research Assistant & School Psychology MA Student

Taylar graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Psychology from the University of Manitoba and is currently pursuing her Master's degree in School Psychology. Her research interests include Indigenous mental health and wellbeing, as well as mental health accessibility in remote and northern communities. When Taylar finishes her schooling, she hopes to travel to northern Manitoba communities to support students in schools. When she isn’t studying, Taylar enjoys spending time with family and friends and travelling to her hometown of Thompson, Manitoba.
Bella Gershman, Clinical Psychology MA Student

Bella is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of Manitoba. Her prior research work has centred around youth homelessness, parenting, inhibition and sexism. Currently, her research interests focus on Indigenous mental health and well-being, with a particular interest in mood disorders. After completing her master’s degree, she plans on pursuing her PhD and becoming a registered clinical psychologist.
Sofia Paunovic, Research Assistant & Psychology Honours Student

Sofia is currently a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Psychology student at the University of Manitoba. She is passionate about women’s health research, with particular interests in perinatal mental health and wellbeing. After completing her undergraduate degree, she hopes to pursue graduate studies in Clinical Psychology. Outside of her academic work, Sofia enjoys swimming, reading books on history, and spending time with friends.
Sandra Hunter, Research Assistant

Sandra Hunter is in the process of completing her PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Manitoba. She is Anishinaabe on her mother’s side, and Scottish, Irish, and English on her father’s side. Sandra grew up in Dauphin River First Nation and is a member of Lake St. Martin First Nation in the Interlake region of Manitoba. Sandra is a mother and grandmother and worked as a Families First Home Visitor for 14 years. She returned to university to explore Indigenous created and led methods of supporting Indigenous families. Sandra’s research focuses on traditional Indigenous child rearing and reclamation of culture to increase wellness and positive cultural identity.
Erin White, Research Assistant

Erin is a Métis and Irish Canadian woman from Winnipeg who is in the process of completing her PhD in Clinical Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Manitoba. For her research, Erin is focusing on the relationships among cultural connection, belongingness, collective self-esteem, and mental health. Taking a strength-based approach, Erin’s research focuses on reclaiming and relearning Indigenous knowledge, languages, and traditions while also challenging negative stereotypes about Indigenous peoples.