Tansi Nîtôtemtik,
Inuit in Canada are among the most researched Indigenous people on the planet.[1] Unfortunately, colonial approaches to research led to relationships between the Inuit and predominantly non-Inuit researchers that were one-sided and exploitative.[2] While Inuit in Canada have received a large share of this treatment, First Nations and Métis people have also felt the sting. To quote the Canadian Minister of Science and Sport, “First Nations, Métis and Inuit in Canada have been kept on the sidelines of Canadian research too long.”[3] Call 65 addresses the need for Canada to develop novel ways of doing research with Indigenous communities based on respect, collaboration, and partnership.[4]
Call 65 states:
We call upon the federal government, through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, post-secondary institutions and educators, and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and its partner institutions, to establish a national research program with multi-year funding to advance understanding of reconciliation.
Since 2016, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) has engaged with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, postsecondary institution representatives, and Indigenous partners and researchers to establish a national research program that advances understanding of reconciliation.[5] SSHRC has created “Indigenous Talent Measures” to provide fair access to financial support for research by and with Indigenous peoples.[6] Self-identified Indigenous applicants may have their applications considered outside of their institution’s quota, and SSHRC instructs adjudication committees to consider any circumstances that may have affected the academic paths of Indigenous applicants.[7]
The 2018 federal budget committed $3.8 million to develop a strategic research plan in response to Call 65.[8] The Strategic Plan 2019-2022 addresses key issues and concerns including:
- Decolonizing research;
- Supporting Indigenous students;
- Improving funding eligibility and accessibility;
- Engaging Indigenous leadership and representation, and
- Developing research partnerships and community-led research.[9]
One outcome of the strategic research plan was the awarding of 116 onetime Indigenous Research and Reconciliation Connection grants to Indigenous organizations and scholars.[10] SSHRC defines Indigenous Research as any discipline or field of research that “is conducted by, grounded in or engaged with First Nations, Inuit, Métis or other Indigenous nations, communities, societies or individuals, and their wisdom, cultures, experiences or knowledge systems, as expressed in their dynamic forms, past and present.”[11] SSHRC expects researchers to “commit to respectful relationships with all Indigenous peoples and communities.”[12] SSHRC also hired a Director of Indigenous Research to meet the objectives of the Budget 2018 allocation, and to make recommendations for a new Indigenous research model.[13]
SSHRC has also awarded $2.5 million over six years to support the Rebuilding First Nations Governance project, an investigation into transforming Indian Act governance. The project is tackling the question of how First Nations can become fully self-governing within Canada.
The Government of Canada is well on their way to establishing a national research program that advances understanding of reconciliation and so we award a grade of “C+” for Call 65. To receive full marks for this Call we would like to see them establish multi-year funding programs with the same goals.
Until Next Week,
Team ReconciliAction
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[1] Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, “National Inuit Strategy on Research” (2018), online (pdf): https://www.itk.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/ITK_NISR-Report_English_low_res.pdf at 5.
[2] Ibid at 4.
[3] “Government of Canada, “Government of Canada supports Indigenous research capacity and reconciliation” (14 Jan 2019), online: https://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/news_room-salle_de_presse/press_releases-communiques/2019/indigenous_research_and_reconciliation-recherche_autochtone_et_la_reconciliation-eng.aspx.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Government of Canada, “Education for reconciliation”, online: https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1524504501233/1557513602139.
[6] Government of Canada, “Indigenous Talent Measures”, online: https://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/society-societe/community-communite/indigenous_research-recherche_autochtone/talent_measures-mesures_du_talent-eng.aspx.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Canada, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, “Departmental Results Report 2018-2019”, online: https://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/about-au_sujet/publications/drr/2018-2019/drr-rrm-eng.aspx.
[9] Ibid.
[10] “Government of Canada, “Government of Canada supports Indigenous research capacity and reconciliation” (14 Jan 2019), online: https://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/news_room-salle_de_presse/press_releases-communiques/2019/indigenous_research_and_reconciliation-recherche_autochtone_et_la_reconciliation-eng.aspx.
[11] Government of Canada, “Definitions of Terms”, online: https://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/funding-financement/programs-programmes/definitions-eng.aspx#a11.
[12] Ibid [emphasis added].
[13] Ibid.
