A surge in female Indigenous scholars conducting field research in the North is inspiring a new wave of academic pursuit, according to researchers. Nicole Redvers, an associate professor at Western University and member of the Deninu Kue First Nation in the N.W.T., highlighted a recent influx of Indigenous women enrolling in masters and PhD programs. Although specific data on Indigenous women engaged in field research in the North is not readily available, Statistics Canada reported a rise in Indigenous women pursuing post-secondary education and obtaining bachelor’s degrees or higher between 2016 and 2021.
Redvers emphasized the importance of establishing a centralized university in the North to streamline data tracking across territories. She attributed the increasing trend to factors such as growing geopolitical interest in the Arctic, enhanced funding opportunities, and the heightened visibility of female Indigenous researchers, which was previously a significant challenge.
Addressing educational and funding disparities outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, Redvers emphasized that true progress stems from Indigenous communities’ continuous advocacy for change, rather than just institutional efforts. Ashley Ens, a PhD student from the Nihtat Gwich’in in the N.W.T., underscored the pivotal role of Indigenous women as knowledge custodians, advocating for the recognition of Indigenous methodologies, community wisdom, and responsibilities within academic settings.
Indigenous female researchers are reshaping academic environments by fostering supportive spaces that accommodate women balancing academic pursuits with familial and community obligations. While acknowledging the need for further institutional support, Ens emphasized the importance of sustained funding for community-led projects and increased assistance for northern students attending universities in southern regions.
In emphasizing reconciliation through research, Ens called for a fundamental shift in power dynamics within academic inquiry, stressing the necessity of empowering Indigenous voices in determining research questions, controlling information dissemination, allocating resources, and benefiting from research outcomes.
By integrating traditional knowledge and community engagement into their research, northern scholars are cultivating trust and collaboration within Indigenous communities, observed Redvers. Laurie-Ann Lines, a senior researcher at the Institute for Circumpolar Health Research in Yellowknife, commended the growing presence of Indigenous female graduate and post-doctorate students, attributing this progress to the mentorship and guidance of elders and community members.
Lines, a member of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, highlighted the evolution of research practices in the North, emphasizing the importance of conducting research collaboratively with Indigenous communities rather than merely studying them. She leads the Northwest Territories Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research, a project uniting elders, researchers, community members, and learners in the N.W.T. This collaborative approach, she noted, signifies a transformative shift in research practices where research is conducted not just about Indigenous communities, but with and for them.
