Indigenous Research Support Team
Supporting Indigenous Research Values
The Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST) is a project launched within Research Services to better support and strengthen Indigenous-related research capacity at the University of Calgary. The project commenced in 2019 with the identification of several challenges being overcome by Indigenous faculty members and within research that is carried out in Indigenous environments. The intention of the project is to strengthen and identify existing resources for Indigenous communities and stakeholders, university researchers, and further partners to promote collaborative, reciprocal, and culturally responsive research.
IRST serves to provide the opportunity for Indigenous communities to connect with a research body that can help to facilitate and identify the endeavours they would like to explore. IRST will be the point of contact for all university researchers doing any work within the broader Indigenous landscape, including with Indigenous communities and on Indigenous lands.
The Indigenous Research Support Team was created with the support of the Research Support Fund and Incremental Project Grant. Learn more about how UCalgary uses the Research Support Fund.
Contact Us
IRST Resources
The Indigenous Research Support Team assists and strengthens Indigenous-related research capacity at the University of Calgary. Learn more about Community Engagement, Ethics, Indigenous Data Sovereignty, Indigenous Research, International Indigenous Community-based Research and Treaty 7 communities and organizations.
Researchers and Academics
IRST is an advisory entity that can provide guidance to researchers and scholars on the proper processes to adhere to within Indigenous research. IRST will be the point of contact for all UCalgary researchers doing any work within the broader Indigenous landscape.
We can assist researchers and scholars by:
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Providing guidance and wise practices in Indigenous research, community engagement, and Indigenous data management
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Supporting development of Indigenous research grants and ethics applications
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Working with Indigenous communities /engagement protocols
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Identifying funding opportunities related to Indigenous research
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Supplying administrative support for research projects such as consultations, honoraria, and awareness raising
Indigenous Communities
IRST acts as a touch point where Indigenous communities, entities, and organizations can directly inquire and ask information. IRST can help communities and leadership interface with a broader research network, facilitating meaningful partnerships and opportunities to produce collaborations that reflect the needs and ambitions of community.
We offer supports to Indigenous communities by giving them access to a broader research network by:
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Forming connections between researchers and Indigenous communities
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Facilitating the creation of research agreements
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Building community understanding of university research processes
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Providing communications and media outreach through our bi-monthly newsletter
Featured events
The Strategy
Launched in 2017, ii' taa'poh'to'p guides the University of Calgary on its path to truth and reconciliation.
The University of Calgary, located in the heart of Southern Alberta, both acknowledges and pays tribute to the traditional territories of the peoples of Treaty 7, which include the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprised of the Siksika, the Piikani, and the Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations). The City of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta Region (districts 5 and 6).
The University of Calgary is situated on land Northwest of where the Bow River meets the Elbow River, a site traditionally known as Moh’kins’tsis to the Blackfoot, Wîchîspa to the Stoney Nakoda, and Guts’ists’i to the Tsuut’ina. On this land and in this place we strive to learn together, walk together, and grow together “in a good way.”