A growing number of Indigenous women in the northern regions are actively engaging in field research, serving as a source of inspiration for upcoming female scholars, according to researchers. Nicole Redvers, an associate professor at Western University and a member of the Deninu Kue First Nation in the N.W.T., expressed her enthusiasm for the surge of female Indigenous students pursuing master’s and PhD programs in recent years.
Statistics Canada reports an uptick in Indigenous women enrolling in post-secondary education in Canada between 2016 and 2021, with a rise in the percentage of Indigenous women holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. However, specific data on Indigenous women participating in field research in the North is not readily available. Redvers emphasized the importance of a centralized university in the North to streamline the tracking of such information across all territories.
Several factors contribute to the observed trends, including heightened geopolitical interest in the Arctic, new funding opportunities, and the increased visibility of female Indigenous researchers. Redvers highlighted that the enhanced representation of female Indigenous researchers addresses previous challenges, as visibility plays a crucial role in inspiring future generations to pursue research careers.
Addressing education and funding disparities, as outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, remains a key focus. Redvers emphasized that real change stems from Indigenous communities’ ongoing efforts to drive change, beyond just institutional initiatives.
Ashley Ens, a PhD student and member of the Nihtat Gwich’in in the N.W.T., emphasized the evolving role of Indigenous women as knowledge holders. She noted a shift towards validating Indigenous methodologies, traditional knowledge, oral histories, and community responsibilities within academic spaces. Ens highlighted the importance of creating supportive environments that allow women to balance academic pursuits with familial and community obligations.
While progress has been made, Ens emphasized the need for institutions to provide additional long-term funding for community-led projects and support for northern students traveling to southern universities. She underscored the importance of reshaping research practices to prioritize Indigenous perspectives and community involvement.
By integrating traditional knowledge and involving community members in research initiatives, northern researchers are building trust within Indigenous communities, according to Redvers. Laurie-Ann Lines, a senior researcher at the Yellowknife-based Institute for Circumpolar Health Research, expressed admiration for the increasing presence of Indigenous female graduate and post-doctorate students. She emphasized the pivotal role of elders and community members in sharing Indigenous research methodologies and shaping the evolving landscape of research in the North.
Lines, a member of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, reflected on the transformation in academia since her entry in 2015, noting the scarcity of Indigenous mentors well-versed in both community-based research and Western academic structures. She currently leads the Northwest Territories Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research, a collaborative project uniting elders, researchers, community members, and learners in the N.W.T., symbolizing the evolving research landscape in the region.
The shift in research practices signifies a departure from traditional approaches, with research increasingly conducted in collaboration with Indigenous communities rather than merely about them. This shift reflects a more inclusive and participatory approach to research, emphasizing that research is not just conducted for Indigenous communities but with them and by them.