Indigenous women in northern regions are increasingly participating in field research, which is serving as a source of inspiration for a new cohort of female scholars. Nicole Redvers, an associate professor at Western University and a member of the Deninu Kue First Nation in the N.W.T., noted a surge in female Indigenous students pursuing master’s and PhD programs over the past few years.
While Statistics Canada reports a rise in the number of Indigenous women pursuing post-secondary education in Canada from 2016 to 2021, there is a lack of readily available data on Indigenous women engaged in field research in the North. Redvers suggested that a centralized university in the North could facilitate better tracking of such information across all territories.
Several factors are believed to be driving this trend, including heightened geopolitical interest in the Arctic, increased funding opportunities, and greater visibility of female Indigenous researchers. Redvers emphasized the importance of representation in research spaces, stating that it is challenging to aspire to a research career without seeing oneself reflected in that environment.
Addressing education and funding disparities highlighted in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, Redvers emphasized that the impetus for change stems from Indigenous individuals advocating for systemic reforms rather than merely relying on institutional goodwill.
PhD student Ashley Ens, a member of the Nihtat Gwich’in in the N.W.T., highlighted the evolving role of Indigenous women as knowledge custodians, emphasizing the validation of Indigenous methodologies, community knowledge, and oral histories. She stressed the need for academic institutions to provide more sustained support for community-led initiatives and assist northern students in accessing education opportunities in southern universities.
By incorporating traditional knowledge and involving community members in their research, northern researchers are fostering trust within communities, according to Redvers. Laurie-Ann Lines, a senior researcher at the Yellowknife-based Institute for Circumpolar Health Research, commended the increasing presence of Indigenous female graduate and post-doctorate students, attributing this progress to the collaboration between elders, community members, and researchers in promoting Indigenous research methodologies.
Lines, a member of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, recounted her early academic experiences and highlighted the significance of her current role in leading the Northwest Territories Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research project. She emphasized that the evolving research landscape in the North signifies a shift towards research conducted in collaboration with Indigenous communities, rather than solely about them.
Overall, the growing participation of Indigenous women in research endeavors is reshaping academic spaces and research practices in the North, emphasizing a shift towards inclusive and community-driven research approaches.