A surge in Indigenous women engaging in field research in the North is sparking inspiration among a new wave of female scholars, according to researchers. Nicole Redvers, an associate professor at Western University and a member of the Deninu Kue First Nation in the N.W.T., noted a significant rise in female Indigenous students pursuing advanced degrees in the past few years.
Statistics from Statistic Canada show an uptick in Indigenous women enrolling in post-secondary education in Canada between 2016 and 2021. However, specific data on Indigenous women involved in field research in the North is currently unavailable. Redvers suggested that establishing a centralized university in the North could facilitate better tracking of this information across all territories.
The growing interest in the Arctic, new funding opportunities, and the increased visibility of female Indigenous researchers are cited as key factors driving this trend. Redvers emphasized the importance of representation, noting that seeing oneself reflected in research spaces is crucial for inspiring future generations of Indigenous scholars.
Education and funding disparities, highlighted in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, have prompted academic institutions to address systemic barriers faced by Indigenous students and researchers. Redvers emphasized that true change is driven not only by institutional efforts but also by Indigenous communities advocating for transformation.
Ashley Ens, a PhD student and member of the Nihtat Gwich’in in the N.W.T., emphasized the historical role of Indigenous women as knowledge keepers and highlighted the increasing recognition of Indigenous methodologies and community knowledge in academia. Female Indigenous researchers are reshaping academic environments to support women balancing academic pursuits with family and community responsibilities.
Despite progress, Ens stressed the need for institutions to do more by providing sustained funding for community-led projects and enhanced support for northern students attending southern universities. She underscored the importance of shifting power dynamics in research to prioritize Indigenous perspectives and benefit Indigenous communities.
By integrating traditional knowledge and involving community members in their research, northern researchers are fostering trust within Indigenous communities, as noted by Redvers. Laurie-Ann Lines, a senior researcher at the Institute for Circumpolar Health Research in Yellowknife, highlighted the growing presence of Indigenous female graduate and post-doctorate students in research. This shift, she explained, is a result of collaboration with elders and community members to promote Indigenous research methodologies.
Lines, a member of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, reflected on the evolving landscape of academia, emphasizing the need for Indigenous academic mentors adept in community-level research and Western academic frameworks. She leads a project in the N.W.T. that brings together elders, researchers, community members, and learners, showcasing the evolving nature of research practices in the North towards more inclusive and community-driven approaches.