Shiva Acharya is a Lead Researcher and Educator at the 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations who relocated to Canada from Nepal in 2019. Shiva is a qualitative researcher, human rights defender, harm reduction worker, crisis counsellor and case manager. Shiva has served various community-led organizations to protect and promote the rights of marginalized communities, including people living with HIV, people who use a drug, children affected by AIDS, and queer and gender-diverse communities. Shiva has conducted several studies and presented in different international forums, including in Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, India, Indonesia, Korea, Mexico, Rwanda, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, and the United States of America. Shiva’s research interests are HIV/AIDS, addiction and mental health, indigenous culture, literature, and stories about traditional healing methods and well-being.

Shiva is a Community Research Fellow at the Feast Centre for Indigenous STBBI Research, McMaster University, Faculty of Social Science (2022). Shiva also works for the City of Toronto, Shelter Support and Housing Administration (SSHA)
All the Two-Spirited People of the First Nation, Metis and Inuit communities living in Ontario are welcome to apply for this fellowship program. Those Two-Spirited Youths, Adult and Elders applicants interested in collecting and sharing the Indigenous Teachings, Stories, Songs and Folklores about Two-Spirited Medicine Persons, seers and healers on their traditional role of treating people across the turtle island over the years will be prioritized.
Applicants should share interest in working with Shiva in developing a small project in traditional stories, narrative and spiritual recollections of the Two-Spirited People of the Turtle Island. The successful candidate is expected to organize a Two Talking circle at 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations and share those stories with the community.
SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT $ 1,000.00
SPONSORED BY SHIVA ACHARYA