Upcoming Events Check-out of upcoming events for Februry, March and April 2024!
| Join us on February 27th at 5:30pm - 7:30pm for an exciting panel to recenter community perspectives in conversations about Land Back, Health Equity and Climate Justice! This event will bring Indigenous perspectives on the intersections of the climate crisis and dive into the practicalities of what climate work looks like on the ground and how to cultivate community-responsive research. We will host a dialogue and hold space for conversations that address settler-colonial conditions and values, as well as our collective abilities to make healthy decisions to bring about change that is healing. Dr. Cash Ahenakew will moderate this dynamic panel with Namaste Marsden, Harlan Pruden and Seraphine Munroe sharing their unique, community-based perspectives and experiences. “We can starve together or feast together. All flourishing is mutual.”– Robin Wall Kimmerer In-person Location: The Place of Many Trees, Liu Institute for Global Issues, UBC, 6476 NW Marine Dr., Vancouver Be sure to join this special event and RSVP here: https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_73ru2f3w9Cah9Yi
On April 11th 2024, IRSI will welcome BC First Nation partners engaged in climate research at the Sty-Wet-Tan Great Hall on UBC-Vancouver campus. During this meeting, we will share the findings from IRSI's report, Relational Accountability in Climate Change Research, and hear from our guests about their current climate research priorities. Throughout the day, there will be ample opportunities for First Nations representatives to connect with UBC researchers around their shared research priorities. We look forward to hosting this event! Please keep a lookout for email invitations, or reach out to us at IRSI.info@ubc.ca for more information. | Relational Accountability in Climate Change Research: A Repository of Research Partnerships between UBC
& B.C. Indigenous Partners
| This report explores our findings from a mixed methods analysis on the IRSI database of Indigenous-UBC climate change research partnerships, which stems from the shared climate emergency priorities of both Indigenous leadership and UBC. Among our primary findings, key principles of reciprocal accountability, transparency, and relationship-building emerged from a qualitative and quantitative assessment. The report also presents a set of recommendations aimed at bolstering respectful collaboration between Indigenous partners and UBC in addressing the climate emergency and climate change. Read the full report here: https://irsi.ubc.ca/news/relational-accountability-climate-change-research-repository-research-partnerships-between-ubc | Faculty of UBC Perspectives from Indigenous Scholars
In the realm of academia, where knowledge intertwines with aspiration, three exceptional Indigenous faculty members at the University of British Columbia (UBC) have been crafting their own narratives of success, resilience, and enlightenment. Dr. Warren Cardinal-McTeague, Dr. Jennifer Grenz, and Dr. Shandin Pete are not just distinguished in their fields of expertise within STEM; they are also trailblazers whose journeys are marked by an unwavering commitment to both their Indigenous identities and their academic pursuits. In this blog post, UBC IRSI embarks on an insightful conversation with these remarkable scholars, delving into their experiences, observations, and aspirations. Their candid responses provide a profound glimpse into the nuanced world of Indigenous faculty members in STEM at UBC, painting a vivid picture of challenges, opportunities, and wisdom gained along the way. For more information please visit: https://irsi.ubc.ca/blog/champions-stem-perspectives-indigenous-faculty-ubc | Honouring Indigenous Advisory Committee (IAC) Members
UBC IRSI takes guidance from an IAC comprised of members from Indigenous communities as well as faculty, staff and students from the UBC campus. The committee's purpose is to provide culturally-relevant advice, leadership, and support to inform IRSI's strategic direction and members are selected based on a variety of relevant disciplines and subject-matter expertise. Fran has been a key member of the UBC Vancouver advisory committee since its inception and is leaving the IRSI IAC this year. |  
Fran has more than 20 years of experience in senior management and direct engagement working with Indigenous peoples. Her areas of expertise include Indigenous adult and post-secondary education and training. Fran is currently the Executive Director of the Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness and previoiusly the inaugural Director of the Office of Indigenous Affairs at the University of Victoria and entrepreneur, Hunt-Jinnouchi Enterprises. To hear Fran's thoughts on IRSI community based research at UBC and her accomplishments please visit: https://irsi.ubc.ca/blog/honoring-ubc-irsi-iac-members-conversation-fran-hunt-jinnouchi | Honoring Indigenous Scholars: in Conversation with Dr. Margaret Moss
Margaret's arrival at UBC in November 2018 as the Director of the First Nations House of Learning (FNHL) brought with it an opportunity to contribute significantly to the university's commitment to Indigenous communities and reconciliation. She was asked to co-lead the development of the Indigenous Strategic Plan (ISP) alongside Dr. Sheryl Lightfoot, the Senior Advisor to the President on Indigenous Affairs. Margaret recently left UBC, but before she left we sat her down to discuss her accomplishments. Visit our website to read more about Margaret's journey: https://irsi.ubc.ca/blog/honoring-indigenous-scholars-conversation-margaret-moss | IRSI: who are we, and what do we do?
Would you like to know more about IRSI? Watch this short and engaging animated video to find out what we do and how we work to support Indigenous community-based research at UBC. You can also subscribe to our new YouTube channel to find out about research collaborations, events and more! | A Message from the Associate Director
| The IRSI team has been busy reflecting on our journey over the last 8 years and regenerating for the years to come. Under the leadership of the IRSI Indigenous Advisory Committee (IAC), IRSI is undergoing a decolonial process of reflection to assess the impact and value of our activities and work since the unit's inception in 2016. The culmination of this process will be a set of recommendations written by the IRSI IAC that will be delivered to the Vice President's Office of Research + Innovation and other leadership at UBC to guide our work in the coming years. As part of this process, we look forward to engaging with our community partners on strategic re-visioning during the upcoming year. I am grateful for the leadership, guidance and commitment of the members of the IRSI IAC as they continue to hold IRSI and UBC accountable to our commitmnets to ethical, reciprocal, accontable and mutually beneficial research with Indigenous partners. IRSI also welcomed a new team member in 2023, Sam Filipenko, IRSI's new Research Program Manager! Get to know more about Sam and his work at IRSI by checking out this news story:
https://irsi.ubc.ca/news/introducing-our-new-research-program-manager-irsi | | Emerging collaborations: Indigenous Health Research Community of Practice
IRSI is collaborating with the Human Early Learning Program (HELP) and the Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Health (CEIH) to co-develop a community of practice focused on building capacity at UBC to engage in meaningful, appropriate, and relational partnerships with Indigenous people, communities, and groups as it relates to health research. Our collective vision for the community is to foster a lively and dynamic space that takes a grassroots approach to knowledge generation. Through collaborative efforts with its members, the community will be co-created and thoughtfully tailored to accommodate the specific needs of those who take part. For more information, please contact Sophie Carriere, Research Coordinator, at sophie.carriere@ubc.ca | Indigenous Health Research Ethics in British Columbia with Indigenous Communities, Collectives and Organizations Co-Create Wise Practices & Distinctions-Based Ethical Protocols in Indigenous Health Research
IRSI is excited to be a part of many new Indigenous collaborations, including as a co-applicant and knowldege user for the CIHR-funded Indigenizing Health Research Ethics in British Columbia with Indigenous Communities, Collectives and Organizations: Co-Create Wise Practices & Distinctions-Based Ethical Protocols in Indigenous Health Research led by Indigenous scholar Dr. Krista Stelkia from Simon Fraser University. The work is expected to run for three years from 2023 to 2026. In addition to IRSI, other UBC partners include IRSI Indigenous Advisory Committee member Corrina Sparrow and the UBC Office of Ressearch Ethics. The overarching goal of the project is to improve and advance Indigenous health research ethics practices and protocols in BC to be more culturally safe and grounded in Indigenous knowledge systems and distinctions-based guidelines. This includes fully understanding the perspectives of research ethics partners (ICCOs, Research Ethics Boards, and Indigenous Health Researchers) to address the gaps and barriers in Indigenous health research ethics processes. | Creating Structures for Meaningful Indigenous Community & UBC Health Partnerships Indigenous students your perspectives are valued in supporting community health and wellness partnerships! Engage with us as part of a collaborative initiative at the Centre for Excellence for Indigenous Health and the Human Early Learning Partnership to understand student experiences and hopes for moving forward in a better way. Participants will receive a $50 gift card! Interested students can fill out our survey, or contact Sophie (sophie.carriere@ubc.ca). https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4Jysm9XLzxVR4hw | Work learn Summer 2024 IRSI will be hiring two summer Work Learn positions: a Communcations Coordinator and a Database Research Coordinator! Keep an eye on the CareerOnline portal between March 14th - 28th and apply for either position! More information will be available on the portal. https://ubc-csm.symplicity.com/ | | We'd love to hear about your exciting student opportunities and invite you to share with us at IRSI.ubc.ca. | Funding Opportunities Check out some exciting funding opportunities below, and please share any opportunities we may have missed at IRSI.ubc.ca.
| UBC Office of the Vice-President Reaserch + Innovation provides online listings, databases and individual consultations to help researchers identify the most suitable funding opportunities. They also facilitate connections with potential partners and funders. Please see a full list of funding opprtunities below: https://research.ubc.ca/support-researchers/attracting-funding/finding-funding | Indigenous Community-Based Grants | The Law Foundation A total of $15 million in funding is available to support community-led Indigenous justice work. There are two funding opportunities available through the Indigenous Justice Fund at the Law Foundation of BC in 2023/2024. The funding opportunities are the Weaving Justice Grants Call and the Community Justice Grants Call. https://www.lawfoundationbc.org/project-funding/ijgc/ | | Friends of the British Columbia Archives The IRF provides a fund to any individuals who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) and organizations with a mandate to serve the interests of Indigenous peoples. With the following purposes: - Travel to the BC Archives (including accommodation/meals)
- Hiring a researcher for work done at the BC Archives
- Other costs associated with work done at the BC Archives as identified by the applicant
https://friendsofbcarchives.wordpress.com/indigenous-research-fund/ | Our office is always open to community members and researchers. We'd love to hear about the work you're doing with Indigenous communities this year! You can reach us at irsi.info@ubc.ca, or at 604-827-2801.
Our mailing address is:
Room 4156
2260 West Mall, Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability
UBC Vancouver Campus | xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Traditional Territory
British Columbia, Canada
V6T 1Z4 | Copyright © 2019 Indigenous Research Support Initiative. All rights reserved. | | | | |
.png?1556565549103)
