Research and Scholarship Working Group
The Research and Scholarship Working Group provided focused attention and work on research and scholarship with and for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.
Areas of Focus
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Indigenous Methodologies
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Processes and Protocols
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Research Ethics
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Support for Faculty
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Support for Students
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Approaches to Decolonizing Research and Scholarship
Membership
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Kim Anderson, Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Relationships & Associate Professor, Family Relations and Applied Nutrition
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Christopher Collier, Assistant Professor, School of Engineering
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Rebecca Hallett, Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies
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Anna Johnson, Graduate Student
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Tad McIlwraith, Assistant Professor, Sociology and Anthropology
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Karina McInnis, Associate Vice-President (Research Services)
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Katelyn Wadleigh, Manager, Research Ethics
Support: Sidey Deska-Gautier, Graduate Research Assistant
Terms of Reference
Purpose
The role of the Indigenous Initiatives Strategic Task Force was to provide strategic direction and leadership guiding the advancement of reconciliation and decolonization efforts at the University of Guelph. The Research and Scholarship Working Group provided focused attention and work on research and scholarship with and for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities including:
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Engagement of Indigenous peoples and organizations
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Ethical research practices
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Indigenous knowledge and research methodologies
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Graduate Student Research
The Working Group had the following objectives and responsibilities:
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Reviewing past and current campus initiatives, programs and services
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Engaging and facilitate forums for learning and reflection with campus, community and relevant partners
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Recommending reviews and revisions to existing University policies, practices and procedures relating to the Working Group’s area of focus
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Identifying goals and expected outcomes that will allow the university to accelerate progress towards indigenization and decolonization
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Formulating final recommendations towards the development of the Indigenous Initiatives Strategy
Term
Completion of the development of the Indigenous Initiatives Strategy.
Membership
The membership of the Working Group included students, faculty, staff and community members including Indigenous individuals. Members had expertise and experience in a range of areas.
Other University of Guelph staff, faculty or students, as well as Indigenous community and professionals external to the University, were added as needed.
Meetings
The Working Group determined their own schedule but normally met once a month.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Chair of the Working Group was responsible for:
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Championing and leading the work of the Working Group
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Serving as the interface between the Steering Committee and the Working Group
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Calling monthly meetings, approving meeting agendas and chairing the meetings
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Coordinating additional meetings, as required
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Ensuring action and follow-up is taken on initiatives approved by the Steering Committee or Working Group
The Members of the Working Group were responsible for:
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Being champions and change agents to support the move towards an Indigenous Initiatives Strategy
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Contributing knowledge, perspective, experience, creativity and subject-matter expertise
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Being accountable for their contribution and coming to meetings prepared
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Completing assigned task(s) as planned or making alternate arrangements
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Following up on action items between meetings, providing support to advance items, as required
Decision-making
The Working Group used a consensus model for decision-making. In the event consensus cannot be achieved, the Chair invoked a vote through a show of hands. In the event of a tie vote, the Chair sought the advice for reconsideration at the next meeting.
Review and Approval of Terms of Reference
The Terms of Reference were finalized by the Working Group and were reviewed on an as needed basis.