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Photo by: Tahlisha North Peigan
Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST)
Keeta Gladue
Manager, IRST
The Manager of IRST leads the team and advocates for institutional alignment with federal, cultural, and Indigenous research practices, ensuring ethical standards, respect for Indigenous knowledge, and support for community self-determination. The manager supports strategic planning for ii’taa’poh’to’p research components, advocates for Indigenous research in policies and processes, and engages with Indigenous communities and other research institutions across Canada.
Keeta Gladue is an Indigenous futurist, scholar, and researcher. Cree and Métis, she approaches diversity, equity, and anti-racism from an Indigenous community-based perspective. Her research includes studies on the topics of Indigenous mental health, post-secondary education, and academic integrity.
Cheyanne Lemaire
Indigenous Research Coordinator Ethics
The Indigenous Research Coordinator- Ethics is a researcher-facing role who provides support for ethics in Indigenous research. The Ethics Coordinator advises on the fundamental expectations in Indigenous ethics and supports researchers by connecting them with other IRST and UCalgary supports. Additionally, the Ethics Coordinator develops the IRST newsletter and co-chairs the Indigenous Research Community of Practice.
Cheyanne Lemaire is the research coordinator (Ethics). Cheyanne is an Indigenous woman with roots from Tanana, Alaska, Northern Tuchone, Yukon, Sahtu, Fort-MacPhearson, NWT and Cree-Metis Fort Chipewyan, AB. Cheyanne has experience in the federal government within energy and economic development. She also holds a degree in anthropology and is looking forward to completing a master’s.
Robyn Giffen
Ethics and Process Specialist
The Ethics and Process Specialist provides specialized support for Indigenous research ethics in human participant research. The Ethics Specialist conducts consultations with researchers and research ethics board members and provides feedback on Indigenous research ethics applications. Additionally, the Ethics Specialist works with UCalgary Policy, Practices, and Procedures in Indigenous Research to ensure equity and alignment with Indigenous community principles and guidelines and compliance with federal and institutional guidelines for human participant research.
Robyn Giffen is the Ethics and process specialist. She is of German and British ancestry and grew up in and recently returned to Calgary in beautiful Treaty 7 Territory. Robyn has an MA from UBC specializing in Linguistic Anthropology and is currently finishing her PhD in Education exploring Indigenous language learning assessment. Robyn’s research focus is Indigenous language revitalization, and she has worked on projects in Ghana, Alaska, and British Columbia.
Maria Duarte
Indigenous Research Coordinator Grants
The Indigenous Research Coordinator-Grants is a researcher-facing role who provides support for grants and funding in Indigenous research. The Grants Coordinator advises on the fundamental expectations in Indigenous grants and funding and supports researchers by connecting them with other IRST and UCalgary supports. Additionally, the Grants Coordinator maintains the IRST website and co-chairs the Indigenous Research Community of Practice.
Maria Duarte is a proud Métis woman with familial roots in Peace River and St. Albert. Maria has a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and is currently pursuing a master’s at the University of Calgary with a research focus on Métis governance and policy. Specifically, her thesis centers around the Métis Credible Assertion process in Alberta.
Melanie Grier
Indigenous Research Advisor
The Indigenous Research Advisor provides specialized support for Indigenous research grants and dunging. The Advisor conducts consultations with researchers and internal funding teams and provides feedback on Indigenous research grant applications. Additionally, the Advisor works with UCalgary Policy, Practices, and Procedures in Indigenous Research to ensure equity and alignment with Indigenous community principles and guidelines and compliance with federal and institutional guidelines for Indigenous grants and funding.
Melanie Grier (she/her) is Turtle Island settler (Mennonite-German) with deep roots in the Western Prairies and UCalgary both. Prior to receiving her psychology BA(Honours) in 2021 and MSc in 2023, she worked full-time at UCalgary from 2004 and 2010. Currently pursing a PhD in industrial-organizational psychology, Melanie's decolonial research prioritizes Indigenous community-based research practices in organizational settings and contexts.
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Indigenous Research Community of Practice (IRCoP)
Purpose
The Indigenous Research Community of Practice (IRCoP) is an open space for those doing, supporting and interested in learning about Indigenous research at UCalgary.
- Our shared goal is to engage in decolonizing conversations that support wise Indigenous research practices
- The IRCoP challenges pan-Indigenous approaches and calls in diverse Indigenous Peoples and perspectives
Membership
The IRCoP welcomes UCalgary Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars (students, staff, faculty, and alumni) interested in doing, supporting and interested in learning about Indigenous research.
Indigenous Community Members who are interested in Indigenous research are also welcome in the IRCoP.
IRCoP is for Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars to network, connect and create capacity within the University of Calgary campus.
Some of the topics to be discussed include mentorship, university policies and processes, and sharing of research projects and initiatives.
Meetings
Held the last Thursday of every month at 12:00 p.m. MT.
To Join: email us at irst@ucalgary.ca
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IRST newsletter
Read about Indigenous research, news, events, funding, and other opportunities in our monthly newsletter.
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