Dr. Andrew Hatala is an associate professor in the College of Community and Global Health at the University of Manitoba. He is also a cultural psychologist, qualitative community-health researcher, and medical anthropologist with community-based research experience in urban Canadian contexts and rural communities in Belize.
Dr. Hatala became assistant professor in community health after completing a CIHR post-doctorate fellowship in community health and epidemiology at the University of Saskatchewan investigating strategies of resilience and mental health among First Nations and Métis youth.
Dr. Hatala completed his PhD in the culture, health, and human development program in the department of psychology at the University of Saskatchewan. His dissertation involved a comparative analysis of the relationships between Q’eqchi’ Maya traditional healer conceptions of mental illness and Western conceptions outlined in the DSM-5, including how this relationship or lack thereof impacts health policy and practice in Belize.
His published works focus on qualitative methodologies, culture and spirituality, mental health, Indigenous healing and epistemology, Indigenous nosology of mental illness and disorder, and resilience and wellness among Indigenous youth populations.
Dr. Hatala was born in central Canada with Polish, English, and Finish ancestry. After growing up primarily in Treaty 7 area on Blackfoot lands (outside Calgary Alberta), he is now settled on Treaty 1 Territory (Winnipeg), the lands where First Nation Peoples have been living since time immemorial, and where the Métis have established their Homeland.
As part of his work at the University of Manitoba, he endeavours to be a good visitor on these lands by doing his part in decolonizing his worldviews and dismantling systemic white-supremacy, while building good and respectful relations with Indigenous Peoples. He is forever grateful for the land, the water, and the skies that have taught him so much and shown him the beauty of this place and its people.
Education
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Post-Doctorate Fellowship in Community Health and Epidemiology, University of Saskatchewan, (2016)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in psychology, culture, health and human development program, University of Saskatchewan, (2014)
Bachelor of Arts (BA) with high honours in psychology, University of Saskatchewan, (2008)
Awards
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) New Investigator Award (2017-2021)