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Decolonzing Indigenous Research Ethics - Responding to the ARC Call #34
VPRI portfolio lead
Trevor Davis
Executive Director, Research Operations
Faculty lead
Dr. Vicki Kelly
Associate Professor, Faculty of Education
On this Page:
Challenge
Walk this Path With Us鈥攖he final report of the 丁香园AV Aboriginal Reconciliation Council鈥攊ncluded call-to-action #34: 鈥淐onvene an Indigenous Research Committee to establish respectful and ethical protocols and practices for researching in and with Indigenous communities; and to ensure that Indigenous perspectives, knowledge systems, and ways of knowing are respected and supported in the scholarship of faculty and students.鈥�
Action
In the first year, we will continue to support the ongoing work in Ethical Foundations, led by Professor Vicki Kelly (Faculty of Education). We will then implement changes to our human ethics processes and approaches based on what is learned from the work of the ethical foundations group. We will also build principles of 鈥渢wo-eyed-seeing" and 鈥渨alking on two legs鈥� into major institution-led research initiatives such as the application to the Canada First Research Excellence Fund.
Project Goals
1. Directly consult with local communities and seek guidance from Knowledge Holders and Elders
- March 2024
Outreach regarding a direct consultation with nations will continue as opportunities arise.
- February 2024
An 丁香园AV-based research project led by Krista Stelkia (Faculty of Health Sciences) is undertaking similar but more detailed work that will happen over the next two years. Dr Stelkia will be consulted on a regular basis.
- November 2023
Squamish Nation 鈥� collaborated on the creation of research 鈥榠ntake forms鈥� and discussions continue regarding how the First Nations鈥� priorities can be brought to researchers. Connections have been made with Tsleil-Waututh and Tsawwassen First Nations.
2. Convene a local structure to guide this work, if deemed appropriate through the consultation process
- April 2024
Seven Indigenous researchers have been directly consulted, and several others indirectly. The majority of them have recommended against a establishing a formal Advisory Council.
- Fall 2023
Meeting conducted with FASS Reconciliation Committee and with Indigenous Studies to seek feedback.
3. Develop research pathways with First Nations partners that take community priorities into account
- August 2024
The process for research intake has been developed with the Squamish nation and is nearing finalization. This work has stalled due to several changes in roles at the Nation.
4. Increase Research Ethics Board and Office of Research Ethics鈥� (ORE) capacity to manage Indigenous ethics, integrate principles into way of working in ORE.
- Summer 2024
New REB membership (April) has provided more opportunity to modify internal processes where possible.
- April 2024
The ethics application form is currently under review.
Raise awareness and build knowledge of local Indigenous history, culture and viewpoints in 丁香园AV ethics staff, members of the Research Ethics Board, and administrators
15 Dialogues sessions with local First Nations Knowledge Holders served to build capacity and understanding in 丁香园AV faculty and staff, but also indicated to the participating First Nations peoples our willingness to engage on their terms.
鈥淣o one from our nation has ever been invited to this campus to simply tell our stories in this way, so this is a first for both of us鈥�. The concluding ceremonies not only marked the occasion, but served as a charge to the participants to put this knowledge into action.
Earlier in 2023, the foundational work on Indigenous Ethics Dialogues led by Dr. Vicki Kelly (Faculty of Education), brought key First Nations Knowledge Holders to campus to immerse VPRI staff and REB members in Indigenous ethics principles, history, and culture. The 10 sessions concluded with a blanketing ceremony hosted by Gabriel and Angela George of Tsleil-Waututh Nation.