BRIEFING

“Indigenous Knowledge is a complete knowledge system with its own concepts of epistemology, philosophy, and scientific and logical validity…which can only be understood by means of pedagogy traditionally employed by these people themselves.”

Acknowledgment of the geographic and cultural diversity within Indigenous people’s and their ancient knowledge of their ecosystem, cosmology, epistemologies, intimate relationship with their environment and cultural practices.

However, under the colonial influence the “biological and intellectual heritage of non-western societies was devalued. The priorities of scientific development...transformed the plurality of knowledge systems into a hierarchy of knowledge systems. hierarchy, horizontal ordering of diverse but equally valid systems was converted into vertical ordering of unequal systems…..”

(Shiva, 2000: vii in Dei, H
(Dr. Daes, Report on the Protection of Heritage of Indigenous People in Battiste & Henderson:41:2000).”

HOW CAN NAYLOR’S REPORT DECOLONIZE INDIGENOUS SCIENCE & INNOVATION?

SSHRC:

Undetaken one year consultation to receive guidance on supporting research “that advances understanding of reconciliation” (TRC Call to Action 65), and in particular advances the status of Indigenous ways of knowing in this process

Naylor Report viewed by some as Eurocentric and advocating Indigenous people and content to existing colonial structures and worldview.

HOW CAN NAYLOR’S RECOMMENDATIONS DECOLONIZE?

Should SSHRC develop an Indigenous led process similar to CIHR?

Diversify and strengthen research capacity and social and economic innovation – discussing the value and challenges of “adding Indigenous knowledges to the country’s overall academic/knowledge project”.

CIHR - IAPH

Support for Targeted Research

CIHR has always understood the importance of Indigenous health research and has released two strategic plans (Roadmaps), both of which highlighted its steadfast commitment to this area. This is a marked departure from its predecessor, the MRC, which, over forty years, had no explicit focus on Indigenous health.

RESEARCH PRIORITY A:

•Aboriginal peoples’ research leadership capacity and development
•Understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing and knowledge

Enhanced patient experiences and outcomes through health innovation

translation

CIHR RESEARCH PRIORITY B: Involving Indigenous Peoples

• In 2010, Canada’s granting councils released the 2nd edition of the Tri‐ Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans.

• Marking a significant advance for Canada, Chapter 9 outlines guidelines for research involving First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada.

• The guidelines have been acknowledged nationally and internationally for the rigour of their content and for the collaborative approach by which they were developed.

Build strategic alliances to transcend traditional boundaries

Network Environments for Aboriginal Health Research

By the numbers

Designed to sustain and evolve the momentum of the ACADRE centres, CIHR‐ IAPH launched the Network Environments for Aboriginal Health Research (NEAHR) in 2007.

336 Students supported from 2007 to 2010

50% advanced research environment in 92

Students report holding faculty positions or research positions

• Nine centres to foster a supportive and

Community grants awarded by NEAHRs directly to Aboriginal organizations

Indigenous health across Canada • Key objectives included:

88% Respondents rated NEAHRs as “excellent” or “good”

– Supporting students

– Recruiting researchers
– Engaging communities
– Promoting rapid uptake
Source: Impact Evaluation of the CIHR‐ IAPH Health Network Environments for Aboriginal Health Research Centres Final Report of research findings.

NSERC: Has failed to address or include Indigenous research, scholars or initiatives.

CRISIS not addressed: Climate change ,water security, infrastructure not addressed.

National attention to water security and climate change in Indigenous communities highlights diverse challenges identified by Indigenous Peoples in obtaining potable water supplies. The analysis shows that up to 72,000 people could have been affected by drinking water advisories (DWAs) in First Nations at the start of 2017. In 2016 alone, 133 boil water advisories in 90 indigenous communities were issued that affected over 50,000 people across the country.

As part of its overarching priority on reconciliation with Canada’s First Nations, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has pledged to bring Indigenous knowledge into policy-making. In a January 2016 announcement of federal plans for reviewing pipelines and other contentious proposals, Environment Minister Catherine McKenna and Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr declared that the government’s “decisions will be based on science, traditional knowledge of Indigenous peoples and other relevant evidence.”

NSERC should provide 5% of their budget to Indigenous research led by and for Indigenous people. An institute similar to CIHR-IAPH would be a best practice.

**All three agencies should implement Indigenous review and evaluations.

** Discovery and Innovation IK science centres could begin to solve real world problems.