Dillon graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a BA in Kinesiology in 2022..
Currently he is a MA student completing research in the Kinesiology Sociocultural lab under Dr. Carly Adams’s supervision.
Dillon’s passion for understanding Indigenous wellness was influenced through his experiences shared with his mother, wife and children while travelling the Pow wow trail throughout Alberta and British Columbia during his lifetime. Because of an injury in 2013, Dillon transitioned his role from the trades to his current academic career. Dillon’s roles have included volunteer, community disability support worker, and academic researcher.
During his time at the UofL, Dillon completed several independent studies, that granted him valuable experiences and confidence, through developing his skills as a professional in the academic field. These research skills and experiences have developed into Dillon’s thesis. As an oral historian, Dillon has worked closely with the Oral History Summer Institute as a graduate assistant improving his understanding of the importance of Indigenous oral histories to understand the wealth of knowledge held by Indigenous communities in the Treaty Six, Seven, and Eight territories. Dillon also improves his skills as an Indigenous wellness historian through his graduate assistantship in the Sociology Department. Currently, Dillon is a Graduate Assistant for Dr. Carly Adams in the Fall 2024 semester.
Funded by the Blueberry River First Nations, Dillon’s research will draw attention to the historical importance of Indigenous wellness practices and wellness outcomes. To understand wellness historically, Dillon will focus on oral histories to supplement wellness knowledge with Indigenous wellness and wellness outcomes to strengthen wellness overall for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
Dillon hopes to continue working with Indigenous people to improve knowledge and awareness of the vastly different wellness practices held by Indigenous people. By improving the understanding of Indigenous wellness practices, Dillon aims to foster awareness, co-development, and intercommunity strategies to support Indigenous wellness for community members outside of community.