Welcome to the Village Lab:

Research for stronger communities.

The Village Lab is an interdisciplinary, community-based research lab led by Dr. Rusty Souleymanov at the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Manitoba. Formed in 2021, the Village Lab aims to facilitate and support high-quality community-led research via strong community collaborations.

Drawing on a variety of community-based decolonizing research principles, approaches, and methodologies, the Village Lab operates at the intersections of the health and social sciences to address health and social issues for marginalized and equity-seeking communities in Canada.

The Village Lab is located on the ancestral lands of Treaty One Territory, and we acknowledge that our water is sourced from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation. We recognize the traditional lands of the Anishinaabeg, Ininiwak, Anisininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Dene, and Inuit, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. We respect the Treaties made on these territories and commit to reconciliation and collaboration with Indigenous communities.

What’s New?

Press release - Village Lab receives funding from CIHR's Advancing 2S/LGBTQI+ Health Research Operating Grant competition

Introducing the Debwetamowin community report! To learn more about the Debwetamowin Study in our new community report click here.

Our 2026-2027 Strategic Plan is out now! Click here to learn more.

Follow us on Instagram @umvillagelab

Meet Patricia Ukoli, one of our graduate research assistants! 🌟 To learn more, swipe or follow this link: https://www.villagelab.ca/patricia-ukoli

Curious about PrEP? Discover what it is, how much it costs, where to access it, and what it looks like to take PrEP! Swipe to learn more💡 👉 #PrEP #HIVAwareness #KnowYourStatus #HealthEducation #HIVFacts #StayInformed #PublicHealth #FightStigma #HIVPrevention #LearnAndShare #HIV #CommunityHealth

Meet Grace Holwell, our Knowledge, Translation, and Exchange Strategist! 🌟 To learn more, swipe or follow this link: https://www.villagelab.ca/grace-holwell

September 30th marks the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. Today we reflect and honour the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Seven Calls to Action are related to health. They ask that various levels of government acknowledge the impacts of residential schools on Indigenous health. They also call upon the government to close the health outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and to recognize the value of Indigenous healing practices. As a community-based health research lab, the Village Lab is committed to Truth and Reconciliation and implementing the Calls to Action. We stand for the rights of all Indigenous Peoples. If you are a former residential school survivor, the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available for support: 1-866-925-4419. Indigenous peoples across Canada can also access The Hope for Wellness Help Line for counselling and crisis intervention: 1-855-242-3310.

Meet Dr. Rusty Souleymanov, our Lab Director! 🌟 To learn more, swipe or follow this link: https://www.villagelab.ca/rusty-souleymanov

We had the honour of attending the Waniska Gathering last week, hosted by Waniska Centre and Ka Ni Kanichihk. It was a privilege to share insights about our Kotwêw project, connect with such inspiring individuals, and work towards tackling rising HIV/STBBI rates in Indigenous communities 🌟 🍓

Nothing wrong with going 🔙 to the basics! Curious about HIV—what it is, what are the symptoms, how it spreads, and how it's treated? Swipe to learn more💡 👉 #HIVAwareness #KnowYourStatus #HealthEducation #HIVFacts #StayInformed #PublicHealth #FightStigma #HIVPrevention #LearnAndShare #HIV #CommunityHealth

Investigaytors Winnipeg is recruiting for the 2024-2027 year! ✨ The Investigaytors program is a space for 2SLGBTQQIA+ people to learn about and contribute to community-based research. 🌈 Please reach out to romeo.gauthier@umanitoba.ca to learn more!

Meet Melissa Morris, our Lab Manager! 🌟 To learn more, swipe or follow this link: https://www.villagelab.ca/melissa-morris

Harm reduction is a key concept in our research, but its often misunderstood. Are you curious about what it really means? 🤔 Swipe to learn more 👉 Source: Catie Harm Reduction Fundamentals: A toolkit for service providers https://www.catie.ca/harmreduction

With the new academic year starting, we want to introduce you to the 2024-2025 Village Lab team! Meet Dr. Albert McLeod, our Lab Elder! 🌟 To learn more, swipe or follow this link: https://www.villagelab.ca/albert-mcleod

Dr. Rusty Souleymanov, lab director, and Melissa Morris, lab manager, were recently featured in the Manitoban discussing Indigenous experiences of HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic from our Gigii-Bapiimin Study. 🗞️💬 Check out the article by following this link: https://themanitoban.com/2024/08/village-lab-researches-indigenous-experiences-of-hiv/47539/ #VillageLab #IndigenousHealth #HIVResearch #CommunityResearch #HealthEquity #Newspaper #TheManitoban

Welcome to the Village Lab:

Research for stronger communities.

What’s New?

Follow us on Instagram @umvillagelab

The Village Lab is grateful for the financial support of local and national funding bodies: