Tara Christianson, recipient of the 2025 University of Manitoba Distinguished Master’s Thesis Prize, is using her experiences to transform the landscape of health care and research for Indigenous communities in Winnipeg. As a recent graduate of the Master of Social Work program, proud Red River Métis, and Registered Social Worker, Christianson’s work is rooted in community and the lived experiences of those most impacted by systemic inequities.
Christianson’s thesis examines how COVID-19 affected services for Indigenous people in Winnipeg, specifically those who use substances and are living with HIV. Her approach challenges traditional western frameworks by centering Indigenous knowledge and prioritizing real stories from the community.
She states that research, particularly highly medicalized HIV research, tends to be rooted in westernized concepts that do not acknowledge the vast Indigenous knowledge systems that exist. She credits Indigenous storywork for keeping her research rooted in tradition and respect for community experiences, methods vital for authentic, culturally sensitive results.
The community-based research design of the thesis provided Christianson with the opportunity to engage directly with community to learn experiences and perspectives in relation to accessing and providing services during that time.
Raised on Treaty 1 territory and deeply connected to both her Red River Métis and Scottish, Irish, and English settler ancestry, Christianson’s sense of identity is closely tied to her work. She is both a Registered Social Worker in Winnipeg and a family-oriented person, describing herself as a mom, a partner, sister, daughter, auntie, citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation and a member of the Bison Local. These relationships, she says, ground both her personal and academic pursuits.
Christianson’s academic journey was impacted by the global pandemic, starting her program online before moving to in-person classes. Throughout the Master's of Social Work program, she connected with faculty, fellow students, and mentors such as Dr. Rusty Souleymanov, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Programs and Director at Village Lab.
“I am grateful to have been matched with Dr. Souleymanov and am looking forward to continuing my work with him during my PhD. I was fortunate to be able to ground myself in community and Indigenous research methodologies with his guidance and support.”
Christianson entered the field of social work with the goal of disrupting systems that perpetuate harm, systems in which the profession itself has often played a foundational and ongoing role. Through her academic journey, Christianson feels she is contributing to that change.
She encourages other graduate students to consider the thesis route and to choose a research topic they are truly passionate about.
Christianson is grateful for the chance to take part in community-based research and feels deeply honoured by the stories that have been shared with her through this work. She remains committed to bringing those stories forward in ways that support healing, accountability, and lasting change within communities.
She will begin her doctoral studies in Social Work, aiming to build on her thesis findings by focusing on people who use substances and are currently unhoused.
The UM Distinguished Master’s Thesis Prize is given out annually to recognize the achievements of Master’s graduates who submitted groundbreaking theses in the previous academic year. The Faculty of Social Work congratulates Tara Christianson on her award and ongoing research.
For those interested in pursuing graduate studies in Social Work, please visit our Programs of Study page.
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