Help shape UCalgary’s Indigenous Research Implementation Plan

The Office of the Vice-President (Research) invites University of Calgary faculty, staff and students to contribute to the development of the ii’ taa’poh’to’p Indigenous Research Implementation Plan, a key step in rooting Indigenous ways of Knowing, Being, Doing and Connecting into the university’s research practices. 

A shared vision for Indigenous research

UCalgary's path of transformation is guided by ii’ taa’poh’to’p, its Indigenous Strategy, reflecting the university’s commitment and responsibility to Truth and Reconciliation. The Indigenous Research Implementation Plan will be a complementary document that guides the development and ongoing support of ethical Indigenous research.

The plan will bring together ii’ taa’poh’to’p and Ahead of Tomorrow’s Research and Innovation Plan to transform the academic research landscape at UCalgary and enhance Indigenous research together in a good way.

Grounding the work in ceremony and learning

In October, Elders Reg and Rose Crowshoe led a pipe ceremony to mark the beginning of the plan’s engagement phase. Joined by other Elders and UCalgary leadership, the ceremony laid the foundation for reflection, knowledge sharing and meaningful connection.

Engagement throughout the process and into the future will be important, in order to continue to support Indigenous research at the university. Everyone who attended was able to reflect on the work ahead for the next year and beyond, in order to achieve transformation in the university’s research ecosystem. 

“It is important that we do this work in a parallel structure, which means incorporating Indigenous Ways of Doing into the work of the university,” says Dr. Pamela Roach, PhD, research director, Indigenous Engagement, Office of the Vice-President (Research). 

“By opening the work in ceremony, we are acknowledging the commitment of UCalgary to develop this plan grounded in Indigenous world views from the very start.” 

Earlier this fall, the Indigenous Research Support Team hosted an immersive training day, including Tipi Training and Elders’ Helper 101: Cultural Protocol. 

More than 25 UCalgary research staff and leadership took part in the sessions, which strengthened participants’ readiness to support Indigenous research. 

These early steps in the plan’s engagement phase helped reaffirm the university's commitment to parallel paths and to building awareness, capacity and understanding among those who play a key role in Indigenous research across UCalgary.

Gathering stories from the campus community

“With a strong foundation set by the pipe ceremony and Elders’ Helper training, we’re now looking to gather stories with the UCalgary community to support the development of the plan,” says Roach. 

“These reflections will help us to understand what Indigenous research means across our campus and how we can move together with a common purpose.”

In-person sessions will provide opportunities for the campus community to:

• Share feedback and ideas on Indigenous research at UCalgary;
• Ask questions and learn more about Indigenous research; and
• Help develop priorities for the plan.

Share your voice

Register for one of the sessions below to help shape the ii’ taa’poh’to’p Indigenous Research Implementation Plan. 

• Faculty Engagement Session
  Friday, Nov. 21
  10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. 
  Main Campus

  Register here

• Student Engagement Session
  Tuesday, Nov. 25
  2 – 3:30 p.m. 
  Main Campus
  Register here
   
• Foothills Engagement Session
  Monday, Dec. 1
  2 – 3:30 p.m. 
  Foothills Campus
  Register here

Unable to attend a session? Share your input by contacting Roach at pamela.roach@ucalgary.ca

Learn more about the ii’ taa’poh’to’p Indigenous Research Implementation Plan