Dr. Rod McCormick

Director, All My Relations Research Centre

Dr. Rod McCormick is a distinguished professor and leading researcher in Indigenous health and well-being. As the Director of the All My Relations Research Centre at Thompson Rivers University, he champions Indigenous-led research that fosters community-driven solutions for mental health, education, and land-based healing.

With a Ph.D. in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia and over 30 years of experience, Dr. McCormick has made significant contributions to Indigenous mentorship, suicide prevention, and culturally grounded approaches to health care. His work has shaped provincial and national policies, including Ontario’s Aboriginal Healing Strategy and the widely used Guiding Circles career development tool.

education and experience

Academic Background

Dr. McCormick has an extensive academic background in psychology, education, and counseling:

Ph.D. in Counselling Psychology – University of British Columbia (1995)
M.A. in Counselling Psychology – University of Victoria (1986)
B.Ed. (Bachelor of Education) – Queen’s University (1981)
B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) – Carleton University (1980)

In addition to his degrees, he holds multiple teaching certifications in Ontario, British Columbia, and Yukon and has an Officer’s Commission from the Canadian Armed Forces.

Previous Positions

Dr. McCormick has dedicated his career to Indigenous education, mental health, and research:

Professor, TRU (2013–Present) – Leads Indigenous health research and student mentorship
Director, Native Indian Teacher Education Program (NITEP), UBC (1995–2000) – Helped train Indigenous educators
Senior Indigenous Health Researcher – Has secured over $60 million in research funding
Mentor & Supervisor – Has guided over 125 students in their academic and research careers
Speaker & Advisor – Has delivered 100+ conference presentations, including keynotes, and advised the Canadian Senate and House of Commons on Indigenous health

Major Research Areas

Dr. McCormick’s research has shaped Indigenous mental health, career development, and healing practices. His work focuses on:

Indigenous Mental Health & Suicide Prevention – Developing culturally grounded healing strategies
Land-Based Healing – Integrating traditional knowledge with wellness practices
Career & Life Planning – Creating pathways for Indigenous youth
Research Ethics & Policy – Ensuring Indigenous communities guide research practices

Impact on Policy & Practice

Dr. McCormick’s research has influenced government policies and Indigenous-led initiatives, including:

Ontario’s Aboriginal Healing Strategy
Guiding Circles – A career development tool widely used across Indigenous communities
Indigenous-led suicide prevention programs

Areas of Expertise

Indigenous Mental Health & Suicide Prevention – Creating culturally grounded healing strategies
Land-Based Healing – Using traditional knowledge and nature for well-being
Indigenous Career & Life Planning – Supporting Indigenous youth in career development
Mentorship & Education – Providing financial and academic support to Indigenous students
Ethical Research Practices – Promoting Indigenous-led research methods

speaking & leadership

Keynote Speaker & Presenter

Dr. McCormick is a highly sought-after speaker and has delivered over 100 keynote addresses and presentations at major conferences around the world. His talks focus on Indigenous mental health, land-based healing, suicide prevention, and ethical research practices.

He has spoken at:

International Indigenous Health Conferences in Canada, the U.S., Australia, and Norway
United Nations FAO Global Indigenous Knowledge Events in Rome
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Conferences on Indigenous-led research
National Gatherings of Indigenous Graduate Students
Truth and Reconciliation Conferences across Canada

Advisor to Government & Institutions

Dr. McCormick has served as an expert advisor to multiple government bodies, including:

Canadian Senate & House of Commons – Provided expert testimony on Indigenous health and research
CIHR Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health – Serves on the advisory board, guiding national Indigenous health research
Mental Health Commission of Canada – Advises on Indigenous mental health strategies
Arctic Council & Circumpolar Mental Wellness Symposium – Contributed to international Indigenous mental health discussions

Mentorship & Research Leadership

As a mentor and research leader, Dr. McCormick has:

Supervised over 130 graduate students at the Master’s and Ph.D. levels
Co-led major Indigenous research networks, including the NEIHR (Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research)
Developed Indigenous mentorship programs like Knowledge Makers, which has supported over 100 Indigenous scholars