Indigenous Research Resources
National Centre for Truth & Reconciliation
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has a collection of downloadable reports and other education materials available to deepen awareness and for action planning to support Truth and Reconciliation.
Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS 2 2022)
Chapter 9 on research involving Indigenous peoples in Canada, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, marks a step toward establishing an ethical space for dialogue on common interests and points of difference between researchers and Indigenous communities engaged in research.
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is a comprehensive international instrument on the rights of Indigenous peoples.
Atlantic Policy Congress (APC) of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat
The APC Secretariat is an advocate for speaking with one voice on behalf of First Nations communities. Through research and analysis, we develop and table policy alternatives for matters affecting First Nations communities.
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
The SSHRC is the federal research funding agency that promotes and supports research and training in the humanities and social sciences, and has long been committed to supporting research by and with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.
Dalhousie University is located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq.
We are all Treaty people.
Honouring Indigenous community self-determination in research
Does your research impact Indigenous people, lands or cultures, or Indigenous community? Here at Dalhousie, we believe organizational partnerships and collaboration is essential to help ensure research is not only safe but also beneficial.
Read on to access Indigenous Research Resources, an information hub that will guide you on ethics, advising, and data management considerations to assist you in navigating your research and planning, including research proposal writing and securing research funding.
Research in any field or discipline 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. Indigenous research can embrace the intellectual, physical, emotional and/or spiritual dimensions of knowledge in creative and interconnected relationships with people, places and the natural environment - Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
Planning for Indigenous Research
Indigenous community partners and collaborators should be involved in determining the direction of the research project prior to the inception. Community and organizational partnerships take time to develop. Due to the increased workload related to Indigenous community engagement, researchers should allocate a significant amount of time for relationship building or consider aiming for the subsequent cycle of yearly funding competitions.
Proposals should reflect appropriate methodologies, ontologies, and epistemologies, grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing and doing, or as guided by their community or organization partner. Budget is an important consideration, particularly in cases where co-investigators and collaborators do not have salaried research positions. Researchers should plan accordingly to ensure equity in how co-investigators and collaborators can be compensated appropriately for their participation. This should be done in accordance with the funder's guidelines, while also ensuring appropriate leadership and guidance is represented within the research team, representing the Indigenous community.
We invite you to visit each link below to access resources that can help guide your research.
Indigenous Research at Dalhousie
Researchers planning to do Indigenous research are strongly advised to develop the project proposal and a Collaborative Research Agreement (CRA) in partnership with their community or organizational partner from the start. Both documents should focus on the nature of the collaboration/partnership, and be grounded in the “6 Rs of Indigenous Research”: respect, relationship, relevance, reciprocity, responsibility, and representation.
The community or organizational partner’s input should be reflected from the onset of the inquiry design unless explicitly indicated otherwise by the community.
There are many layers and depths to which these concepts are embodied within Indigenous research. Before preparing or reviewing a research project proposal, read Supporting Indigenous Research Proposal Development: A quick guide [PDF 1.5 MB].
Connect with us
Stay informed on research announcements, funding, and upcoming deadlines by signing up for our Office of Research Services Newsletter, or access Dalhousie's Indigenous resources below: