Indigenous Graduate Students' Association
Meet the 2024-25 Executive Team
Dedicated to supporting the academic and non-academic needs of Indigenous graduate students at the U of A.
VICE-PRESIDENT, INTERNAL/EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT
KD King, BScN, MPH, RN, CPSO
PhD Student, Faculty of Nursing
Born in northern Alberta in Treaty 8 territory, KD grew up on the farm before joining his maternal family tradition of becoming a Registered Nurse. A proud two-spirit Métis nurse, KD is doing PhD research looking at HPV related cancer prevention in his community as well as working on other projects and boards. He enjoys the outdoors, gardening, sports, beading and sewing, drag and other theatre, and eating anything and everything.
VICE-PRESIDENT, FINANCE
Alexis Blanchette-Arnold (she/they)
Master’s Student, Agriculture, Food, and Nutritional Science
Alexis is Haida, born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta on Treaty 6 territory. Her familial connection is Haida from Skidegate on paternal side and French Canadian and British settler on maternal side. She is in the first year of their master’s program looking at pesticide resistance in a couple beetle pest species in Canola and Peas accross the Canadian Prairies. Their aim in joining IGSA is supporting their peers especially providing perspective as an Indigenous student in STEM as she feels they need more representation
VICE-PRESIDENT, ADMINISTRATION
Open position
Could this be you?
DIRECTORS AT LARGE
Echo Keizer (They/He)
Master of Science in Epidemiology
Echo is a Transmasculine mixed-Inuk ancestrally from Nunatsiavut (Labrador). As an Indigiqueer person with many years of volunteer work in municipal equity spaces, they have a passion for true representation and uplifting equity-deserving voices at decision-making tables and within the field of public health.
Echo is in their first year of their Master of Science in Epidemiology with The School of Public Health. His research area sits at the intersection of social determinants of health and how politics and legislation impacts the health and wellness of marginalized communities.
When he is not busy studying or volunteering, you can often find him at the bouldering gym or at martial arts training! They also enjoy creating art and modern versions of traditional Inuit garments and crafts.
CO-PRESIDENTS
This could be you!
The IGSA does not currently have a president, but we really need one! Nominate yourself in the upcoming Fall 2025 elections!
VICE-PRESIDENT, COMMUNICATIONS
Claire Settee (She/Her)
Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS)
Claire is from Winnipeg, the intersection of the Red and Assininboine Rivers. Like the rivers she grew up on, Claire lives at the confluence of her mother’s Hollow Water First Nation Anishinaabeg roots, and her father's ties to Swampy Cree communities across Manitoba. She is a proud member of Fisher River Cree Nation. Claire is in her second year of her MLIS, and third year of the University of Manitoba’s Indigenous Librarian Intern program. She loves baking, reading, and spending time with her cat Lily. Claire is excited to share and uplift the voices of Indigenous graduate students and the IGSA.