Brittany McBeath

Full Bio

Brittany McBeath is a Kanyen’kehá:ka (Mohawk) woman of mixed ancestry and a proud member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte. An award-winning Indigenous scholar and educator, she previously held the prestigious Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarship - Doctoral Award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and is now a PhD Candidate in the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies at Queen’s University. Her research focuses on community mobilization for health promotion and chronic disease prevention, partnering with First Nations and Urban Indigenous communities in Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba. She leads community-engaged and participatory research that upholds the highest ethical standards, supporting Indigenous-led organizations and research teams in securing over $10.5 million in funding, primarily from CIHR. She is an active research team member with the Kahnawake Schools Diabetes Prevention Program and the Tahatikonhsontóntie’ (Québec Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research).

Brittany has authored numerous program evaluation reports for communities and organizations, peer-reviewed journal articles, and most recently a book chapter in Health Promotion in Canada (5th ed.). She currently holds the position of Professor of Indigenous Studies at Loyalist College, teaching courses and designing cross-college curriculum in Indigenous health, cultural safety in healthcare, Indigenous history and knowledge systems, and decolonizing research and education. She has been recognized for excellence in teaching by the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies for her role as a teaching assistant in motivational interviewing for health behaviour change and program design and evaluation courses.

Brittany’s journey in Indigenous health promotion began with her work as a community mentor with Right To Play in Kingston, ON, where she organized and facilitated culturally-based leadership programs and lacrosse workshops for youth in Kingston and surrounding communities. This experience ignited her passion for community involvement and positive youth development, earning her the Queen’s University Brian Yealland Community Leadership Award (2016). Today, this foundation continues to shape her work as an educator and researcher, guiding her commitment to support Indigenous-led health promotion and community-driven research and education.