Mathew Fleury is nēhiyawak (Mistawasis Nēhiyawak; Plains Cree) and, as a proud member of one of the founding families of the Métis Nation, he has deep roots in the Red River Valley of Manitoba. Throughout his work, he draws from his lived, academic, and professional experiences in advancing grassroots approaches within research and policy. Mathew is passionate about issues impacting Indigenous Peoples, including substance use and harm reduction, mental health, accessibility, and HIV/AIDS. As an Indigenous Social Worker, community-based researcher, health scientist, and writer with lived experience of HIV and substance use, and as a neurodivergent, queer, and Two-Spirited individual, Mathew recognizes the need to promote the inclusion of those who have also been faced with marginalization. His passion for human rights and culture has earned him a new name, proffered by Elders in his community: Gimewan Niimi/kimiwan onîmihitow (Rain Dancer). Following studies in psychology at Queen’s University, Mathew graduated from Laurentian University’s Indigenous social work program. He then completed studies in molecular, genetic and population health sciences at Edinburgh Medical School (University of Edinburgh) alongside the World Health Organization’s Collaborating Centre for Population Health Research and Training. Completing a PhD in Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University, Mathew’s scholarship aims to draw parallels between Indigenous methodologies, queer theory, and ‘hard’ science to examine the scientific and sociopolitical impacts of HIV/AIDS, particularly related to Indigenous Peoples. As the previous Manager of Research and Knowledge Exchange at the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), he oversaw the overall approach, design, and implementation of medium to large-scale research initiatives. He holds significant expertise in best practices around implementing the OCAP® principles; community engagement; anti- racism, and cultural safety and humility; trauma- and violence-informed approaches; Indigenous research methodologies; data analysis and visualization; and knowledge exchange, translation, and mobilization. Mathew is deeply committed to advancing the health and wellness of Indigenous Peoples and seeks to improve health systems by addressing racism and enhancing cultural safety and humility. As the Director of Indigenous Initiatives with Providence Health Care, Mathew works alongside the British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, the FNHA, the University of British Columbia (UBC) and other partners. He aims to foster relationships with Indigenous community partners, Knowledge Keepers, health system leaders, researchers, clinicians, and educators in the spirit of respect, reciprocity, and responsiveness. Mathew is also a Research Associate at the BC Centre for Disease Control, an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University, as well as an Instructor in the Faculty of Health and Human Services at North Island College and the School of Population and Public Health at UBC. In addition, he is a co-founder of the Naut sa mawt Research Institute of Psychedelic Medicine, a member of the Two-Spirit Dry Lab, and a Consultant with Quintessential Research Group and Changemark Research and Evaluation. In 2023, Vancouver City Council appointed him as a Member of the Urban Indigenous Peoples’ Advisory Committee as well as the 2SLGBTQ+ Advisory Committee.