Meet Our Team
We are a group of Indigenous & Allied health leaders and academic researchers with a shared vision of wellness for Indigenous children and youth across Canada. Together, we provide accessible and culturally-relevant resources to Indigenous communities.

Nancy L Young
ACHWM Team Lead & Senior Scientist
CHEO Research Institute
Nancy L Young BScPT, MSc, PhDCHEO Research Institute - ACHWM Team Lead & Senior ScientistDr. Nancy Young is a Clinical Epidemiologist with expertise in measurement science. She is currently a Senior Scientist at the CHEO Research Institute. Her research career has focused on developing self-reported health measures for use by children and gives children a voice when it comes to their health. Indigenous children have not had a voice in health planning due to a lack of culturally appropriate measures. She has worked with other countries and cultures to develop and adapt health measures, and was invited by Mary Jo Wabano to work with Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory to develop a measure for Indigenous children. She is on a journey to become an ally.
Dr. Young has worked with Indigenous communities since 2009 and has played a critical role in the development of the Aaniish Naa Gegii: the Children’s Health and Well-being Measure (ACHWM). This tool is the product of collaboration with Mary Jo Wabano and many partners, including children and youth. She continues to work in collaboration with several First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities to share research products for use in different regions and cultural contexts. This work enables Indigenous health leaders to gather local data to augment traditional understandings of their children’s health and is a step towards better health outcomes among Indigenous children.Diane Jacko
Health Services Director
Naandwechige-Gamig, Wikwemikong Health Centre
Diane Jacko Hon. B.A., B.A., R.P.Naandwechige-Gamig, Wikwemikong Health Centre - Health Services DirectorI have been working at Nadmadwin Mental Health Clinic since 1999. I was part of the development of this ACHWM and the mental health staff were very instrumental in ensuring that the real time safety feature was built into the process to ensure that support was provided immediately to those requiring it.
Sasha McBride
ACHWM Administrative Assistant
Evaluating Children’s Health Outcomes (ECHO) Research Centre, Laurentian University
Sasha McBrideEvaluating Children’s Health Outcomes (ECHO) Research Centre, Laurentian University - ACHWM Administrative AssistantSasha is the ACHWM team’s Administrative Assistant. She is responsible for keeping the team organized as well as providing support to the team in numerous ways. She prides herself on her positive attitude, openness to learn, and willingness to always give a helping hand when needed. She enjoys spending time with her family as well as enjoying outdoor activities such as camping and fishing.
Blaine Wolfe
Co-Lead Community Engagement & Knowledge Translator
CHEO Research Institute
Blaine Wolfe B.A.,ECECHEO Research Institute - Co-Lead Community Engagement & Knowledge TranslatorBlaine Wolfe is an Ojibway leader from Curve Lake First Nation whose work is rooted in advancing Indigenous data sovereignty, strengthening community voice, and transforming how systems engage with Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island.
He serves as a Co-Lead Engagement Coordinator, leading relationship-driven approaches to Indigenous engagement grounded in trust, accountability, and respect. His work reflects a deep commitment to ensuring that Indigenous communities are not only included in decision-making, but are recognized as leaders within it.
Blaine is the Founder of the G-AMS tool, an initiative designed to support Indigenous data governance and culturally grounded approaches to health information. Through this work, he has contributed to reshaping how data is understood, accessed, and used — ensuring that it serves Indigenous communities in ways that are ethical, protective, and empowering.
Guided by the understanding that data is not just information, but story, responsibility, and identity, Blaine’s work centers the protection of Indigenous knowledge while creating pathways for meaningful and lasting change.
He brings a strong and grounded leadership presence, shaped by community, guided by purpose, and driven by a vision of systems that honour Indigenous rights, voices, and ways of knowingShonagh McCrindle
Co-Lead Community Engagement
CHEO Research Institute
Shonagh McCrindle MHA, BSc NutritionCHEO Research Institute - Co-Lead Community EngagementAfter almost a decade living and working in the Yukon, she has returned home. While she was up north, she led advocacy initiatives for neurodivergent folk and connected with many First Nation groups to advance housing, employment, healthcare rights for all. Her experience in systems change and advocating for policy alternatives will round out the ACHWM teams skills. She studied Nutrition in undergraduate and did a Masters of Health Administration in Ottawa. Her son’s ancestry is Cree from Sturgeon Lake First Nation, which brings the work very close to home. She loves autumn, foraging and long walks in the forest.
Mylène Michaud
Research Manager
CHEO RI / ACHWM
Mylène Michaud BA (Hons), MA, PhDCHEO RI / ACHWM - Research ManagerMylène is a Research Manager with the Aaniish Naa Gegii team at the CHEO Research Institute. She holds a PhD in Psychology and brings interdisciplinary training in social psychology, neuropsychology, and mixed methods research. Since 2023, she has worked collaboratively with Indigenous communities to support the adaptation of the Aaniish Naa Gegii: Children’s Health and Wellbeing Measure (ACHWM), ensuring it reflects the cultural and contextual priorities of Indigenous communities across Turtle Island. Mylène strives to conduct research guided by OCAP® principles and grounded in respectful, relationship‑based approaches.
Milad Rasooli
Web developer
CHEO RI / ACHWM
Milad RasooliCHEO RI / ACHWM - Web developerMilad, holding a Master’s in Computer Science, has joined the ACHWM team dedicated to enhancing user support and improving the website experience. Passionate about crafting seamless user experiences, he aims to make our services more efficient and effective. Valuing teamwork, Milad is keen on applying his skills to achieve our collective goals. Off the clock, he enjoys outdoor adventures and traveling.
Atiqa Pirwani
Research Coordinator
CHEO RI / ACHWM
Atiqa PirwaniCHEO RI / ACHWM - Research CoordinatorAtiqa is the Research Coordinator for ACHWM, bringing expertise in both biology and clinical psychology. Her research passion centers on fostering and promoting mental health, particularly within marginalized communities. In her free time, she enjoys reading and staying active.
Sarah Cloud-Romeo
Research Assistant & Community Engagement coordinator
CHEO Research Institute
Sarah Cloud-Romeo BSc, MD CandidateCHEO Research Institute - Research Assistant & Community Engagement coordinatorSarah Cloud-Romeo is a Mi’kmaq medical student from Natoaganeg First Nation, currently completing her fourth year at the University of Ottawa, where she earned early admission to the MD program during her third year of undergraduate studies in Biomedical Science.
She is a Research Assistant and Engagement Member with the Aaniish Naa Gegii: the Children’s Health and Well-being Measure (ACHWM), supporting community-driven research that advances Indigenous child wellness while honouring cultural continuity, Indigenous knowledge systems, and the voices of children and families.
She is the Co-Founder of the Indigenous Medical Learners Association at the University of Ottawa, the first Indigenous student-led organization within the Faculty of Medicine, where she helped build spaces rooted in mentorship, advocacy, and belonging for Indigenous learners in medicine. Her work is grounded in a commitment to culturally safe care and research practices that are accountable to the communities they serve, guided by OCAP principles and a focus on ethical partnership and meaningful knowledge exchange. She carries her work with a rooted strength, shaped by where she comes from and who she carries, including her grandmother, Joyce Paul, whose story continues to guide her.Teia Maracle
Engagement Coordinator
CHEO - Research Institute
Teia MaracleCHEO - Research Institute - Engagement CoordinatorTeia is a tw0-spirit person apart of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First Nations. Teia possess a Bachelor of Arts in Women and Gender Studies with a minor in Indigenous Studies. They are an engagement coordinator at ACHWM. Outside of work, you can find them walking their dogs, enjoying good food or beading.
Previous Team Members
Team Member
Aaniish Na Gegii (ACHWM)











