Carleton University’s Aboriginal Centre, Ojigkwanong, hosted a special event today for the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) as it launched new initiatives to provide broader support for Aboriginal research.
The initiatives build on SSHRC’s longstanding commitment to Aboriginal research by providing a statement of principles, a revised definition of Aboriginal research, and merit review guidelines. The changes are designed to develop talented researchers and emphasize the importance of Aboriginal perspectives across SSHRC’s mission, programs and funding opportunities.
“We are very pleased to be renewing and strengthening our commitment to Aboriginal research,” said SSHRC President Ted Hewitt. “By supporting Aboriginal research across our funding opportunities, we are enhancing our commitment to scholarly excellence and diversity.”
At the same time, Carleton is also pleased to be launching a new program – a Canadian first ‒ dealing with the ethics of engaging in Aboriginal research, which is supported by a SSHRC grant The five-day course, running from June 8 to 12, will accommodate a diverse audience of researchers, government representatives and non-governmental organizations, as well as First Nations, Inuit and Métis community members. It will equip researchers of all kinds with tools to implement ethical practices when working with Aboriginal communities or conducting research on their traditional territory.
“SSHRC’s commitment to research in Aboriginal issues will be enhanced by this timely and important program which offers an opportunity for a necessary, critical reflection to occur,” said Carleton President Roseann O’Reilly Runte.
Among SSHRC’s guiding principles for Aboriginal research are accommodating diversity, encouraging the participation of Elders and Knowledge Keepers, and promoting equitable merit review processes and procedures. That includes having external assessors with research experience and expertise serve on adjudication committees. For more information, please go to: SSHRC-CRSH.GC.CA
Between 2009 and 2013, SSHRC invested $137 million in over 1,400 Aboriginal research projects involving 1,500 researchers and 900 graduate students.
Carleton’s goal is to share knowledge and build cultural awareness as it seeks to expand its base to community and government researchers who engage in projects that directly affect Aboriginal peoples in Canada.
Supporting Aboriginal communities, promoting cultural awareness and positioning Carleton as a university of choice for Aboriginal students and faculty is a key goal of Carleton’s Strategic Integrated Plan.
About SSHRC:
SSHRC is the federal research funding agency that promotes and supports postsecondary-based research and training in the humanities and social sciences. Through its programs, SSHRC works to develop talented leaders for all sectors of society. SSHRC supports over 8,400 research projects annually.
About Carleton University:
Located in the nation’s capital, Carleton University is a dynamic research and teaching institution with a tradition of leading change. Its internationally recognized faculty, staff and researchers provide more than 25,000 full- and part-time students from every province and more than 100 countries around the world with academic opportunities in more than 65 programs of study, including public affairs, journalism, film studies, engineering, high technology, and international studies. Carleton’s creative, interdisciplinary and international approach to research has led to many significant discoveries and creative works in science and technology, business, governance, public policy and the arts. As an innovative institution Carleton is uniquely committed to developing solutions to real-world problems by pushing the boundaries of knowledge and understanding daily.
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