NSERC
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Indigenous research
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  • Strengthening Indigenous research capacity
  • Advisory structures
  • Contacts
Strengthening Indigenous research capacity

NSERC is committed to developing deeper and more meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities, organizations, researchers and trainees and to exploring the role of science and research in the journey towards reconciliation through its Strategic Plan, NSERC’s 2030. Each of its 5 pillars reflects NSERC’s goal to recognize Indigenous knowledge systems, build respectful partnerships with communities, and promote Indigenous-led research as part of its broader reconciliation efforts. These actions ensure Indigenous perspectives are central to shaping the future of Canadian science and innovation.

NSERC’s efforts to enhance its engagement with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities and support Indigenous research, researchers, and trainees are further guided by the tri-agency’s strategic plan, Setting new directions to support Indigenous research and research training in Canada (SIRC). The plan identifies four strategic directions to guide the building of new models for supporting Indigenous research and training: Building relationships with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples; Supporting research priorities of Indigenous Peoples; Creating greater funding accessibility to granting agency programs; and Championing Indigenous leadership, self-determination and capacity in research. These strategic directions are further guided by the following key principles:

Self-determination:
Fostering the right for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples to set their own research priorities
Decolonization of research:
Respecting Indigenous ways of knowing and supporting community-led research
Accountability:
Strengthening accountability in respecting Indigenous ethics and protocols in research and identifying the benefits and impacts of research in Indigenous communities
Equitable access:
Facilitating and promoting equitable access and support for Indigenous students and researchers

NSERC participates actively in tri-agency efforts to implement the strategic plan, through various working groups. These are formed as needed to focus on priority areas, such as creating new funding opportunities, reducing administrative barriers, and decolonizing research ethics and responsible conduct of research. The work of a recent ad hoc tri-agency working group on Indigenous Citizenship and Membership resulted in the adoption of the Tri-agency Policy on Indigenous Citizenship and Membership Affirmation and its Directive.

For additional information on Tri-agency support of Indigenous research, please visit the Strengthening Indigenous research capacity - Canada.ca, CIHR’s Indigenous Health Research, and SSHRC’s Indigenous Research webpages.

Advisory structures Indigenous Leadership Circle in Research

The Indigenous Leadership Circle in Research advises the presidents of Canada’s three federal research funding agencies—the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council,—and the Canada Foundation for Innovation, on the implementation of the interagency strategic plan. They also monitor progress of the strategic plan’s implementation and provide guidance on ways to help enhance support for Indigenous research and research training.

Reference Group for the Appropriate Review of Indigenous Research

The Reference Group for the Appropriate Review of Indigenous Research is a community group including Knowledge Keepers, youth, and academics across career stages representing various First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. It offers guidance to the tri-agencies on ethically- and culturally-sound peer review approaches and practices for research conducted by and with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. The establishment of the Reference Group in 2020 under CIHR leadership marked a significant stride in the agencies' efforts to implement the SIRC. In 2022, NSERC assumed the rotating leadership of the Reference Group.

The Reference Group’s collective understanding on Indigenous research and Indigenous Knowledges is greatly valued as they advise the agencies on the following common priority areas:

  • Analyzing data related to existing peer review models for Indigenous research, identifying potential improvements, and areas where the agencies can harmonize their processes;
  • Developing peer review policies, frameworks, and guidelines to ensure the culturally safe review of Indigenous applications;
  • Supporting the development of culturally safe learning materials and tools for reviewers (based on the above recommended frameworks, guidelines, and criteria); and
  • Analyzing reviewer capacity to develop strategies and frameworks that will increase the number of reviewers able to conduct ethically and culturally safe evaluations of research proposals by and/or with Indigenous communities.

Current Reference Group membership

  • Margaret Robinson (Chair), Dalhousie University 
  • Jenna Ives (co-Chair), University of Regina 
  • Myrle Ballard, University of Calgary 
  • Suzy Basile, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue 
  • Amber Bedard, Reciprocal Consulting 
  • Catherine Dussault, University of Ottawa 
  • Lawrence Ignace, PhD Candidate, University of Victoria 
  • Georgina Martin, Vancouver Island University 
  • Lorrilee McGregor, Northern Ontario School of Medicine - Laurentian & Lakehead Universities
  • Ethsi (Suzanne) Stewart, University of Toronto 
  • Alexis Gottfriedson, Thompson Rivers University 
  • Wayne Cark, University of Alberta 
  • Hanna Paul, University of British-Columbia – Okanagan
  • Erica Hurley, Memorial University of Newfoundland 
  • Jade Huguenin, Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centers 
NSERC’s Scholar in Residence

In June 2023, NSERC welcomed Dr. Rahswahérha Mark Green to occupy the advisory position of Scholar in Residence from 2023 to 2025. In this role, Dr. Green provides NSERC with unique and novel viewpoints from a First Nations engineer and researcher perspective. This significant guidance on programs, policies and processes will contribute to the goal of using research as a tool to advance reconciliation with Indigenous rightsholders, including communities. More information on Dr. Green, his research and his role is available here, and in this Research story.

Contacts
  • IndigenousInitiatives@nserc-crsng.gc.ca
  • InitiativesAutochtone@nserc-crsng.gc.ca