Indigenous

Honouring story, kinship, and community

Candace Neumann, Red River Métis doula and graduate student, on working with Indigenous pregnant women living with HIV.

Candace Neumann at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Arizona
Estimated Read Time:
2 minutes
Candace Neumann at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
Candace Neumann at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
Estimated Read Time:
2 minutes

Meet Candace Neumann, Red River Métis doula and Master of Social Work based in Indigenous Knowledges (MSW-IK) student. Her research centres on Indigenous women who are pregnant and living with HIV or other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs), and draws on relationships, stories, and knowledges that have shaped her work.

She is an artist, sundancer, cedar bath conductor, and community helper from Treaty 1 Territory, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Her spirit name, Leads With Light, guides her in her community work, and is grounded in her relationships with her family and her community. She comes from a long line of fierce aunties and carries on the tradition with her 13 nephews and nieces, and 1 great niece. 

After a close friend recommended the (MSW-IK) program to Neumann, she enrolled in the program and started her research. 

"My work is focused on my community, as well as other Indigenous communities across Turtle Island, and the focus of Indigenous knowledges in this program seemed to be in alignment with that," says Neumann. 

Our ancestors live in our blood

In May 2025, Candace Neumann was awarded the New Investigator Award for best oral abstract presentation in Social Science at the Canadian Association for HIV Research (CAHR) Conference for her presentation title: Our Ancestors Live in our Blood: Understanding Kinship, Storytelling and Place in Supports for Pregnant Indigenous Women Living with HIV. 

Although everyone’s experiences were unique, there was a common thread of relationships, stories, and cultural and land connections. I wanted to do research that honoured this.

Candace Neumann

Storytelling and relationship

Neumann’s research focus emerged from her 20 years of experience working in community, and 10 years experience as an Indigenous doula. She has supported many Indigenous women navigating pregnancy under complex health and social conditions. Her involvement with the Indigenous HIV Doula program at Ka Ni Kanichihk and the Village Lab provided further insight into these unique experiences.

"As a birth worker, what stood out for me were the stories shared by Indigenous women who had experienced pregnancy while living with HIV," says Neumann.

Through this work, Neumann observed consistent themes. While each woman's circumstances were different, many emphasized the importance of relationships, storytelling, cultural practices, and land-based connections in their care and decision-making.

These observations informed her decision to center her graduate research on the experiences and supports available to Indigenous women who are pregnant and living with HIV/STBBIs.

Supporting community

Neumann supports her community by giving her time, knowledge and experience. She co-founded Zaagi’idiwiin Indigenous Doula Training with Indigenous midwife Melissa Brown. The program has trained hundreds of doulas from Indigenous communities across Turtle Island. As a doula, she also volunteers her services to support Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQIA+ birthing people.

She continues her studies in the MSW-IK program and encourages other students who are interested in the program.

"For any students considering applying for this, I would say that the elders make this program. They are so knowledgeable, supportive, and are the heart of the program," says Neumann. 

Learn more about the Master of Social Work based in Indigenous Knowledges program.