Renée Masching
Renée Masching is a First Nation woman originally from Southern Ontario who has dedicated her professional energies to working with Aboriginal Peoples in health related programs. She has worked in addictions programs, in community health education and for more than 18 years, Renée has been honoured to contribute to the Aboriginal HIV and AIDS movement in Canada with dedication and determination. Renée was the Executive Director of Healing Our Nations, the Atlantic First Nations AIDS Network from 1997-2005 and then began employment with the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN) as a Community-based Research Facilitator supporting a community response to HIV and AIDS through research. Presently, Renée is the Director of Research and Policy with CAAN and Principal Knowledge User or Knowledge User on several active research projects. Contributions have included: support to community-based HIV/AIDS organizations and working closely with Aboriginal People living with HIV and AIDS; serving as a Board member with national organizations; the development of government policy in the Atlantic Provinces and Federally; numerous committees and reports. Renée earned degrees from McMaster University finishing her undergraduate work in 1995 and a Master in Social Work in 2003 with a research award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Her research interests are focused on community-based research frameworks, Indigenous knowledge and community health. Renée is the author/co-author of several peer reviewed publications and has delivered numerous poster and oral presentations at local, regional, national and international conferences. Renée lives with her husband, sons and menagerie of pets by the ocean in Mi’kmaq Territory (Nova Scotia).