Indigenous research day a success in sharing what's new
- Morgan Esperance | November 02, 2016
Indigenous People Health Research Centre (IPHRC) research team was a part of “An Indigenous Day of Research” held at the University of Regina. Dustin Brass, Benjamin Ironstand, and Jared Kay presented on some of their research on October 27, 2016.
The presentations focused on the work that has been done over the last four years, the organization as a whole, and the methodologies that are used as they go to Indigenous communities to tie their research.
For this purpose, they had a pipe ceremony, blessing from an elder, and a feast.
Director at the Research Office, Sally Gray explained, “We had the introduction to pow-wow, we had hoop dancing. To sort of do a celebration of Indigenous culture alongside of the Indigenous research that we were highlighting today because you can’t really separate the two.”
A lot of people were in attendance to learn of the highlighted research. About 20 lectures were involved in the event.
“I think there was a lot of sentiment that it’s something that we should keep on doing, so we’re going to try,” says Gray.
The importance of Indigenous Research days is expressed by Brass, one of the IPHRC Community Research Associates.
“People can start to engage in that conversation about what is the best practises, how are the people doing this work and carrying it forward, how are Indigenous people working with Indigenous people,” he says. “But it also gives those people who are non-Indigenous an opportunity to think about Indigenous research and working with Indigenous communities on a deeper level, then just simply extracting data just to get results of a grant proposal.”
The research done is admired by Gray as IPHRC talked about one of their research projects called ‘Acting Out’, which helps the youth build their self-image because the area was felt to be needed in and around the community, as she says.
Brass remembers what their late director, Dr. Jo-Ann Episkenew, did as the forefront of the institution by sharing what Indigenous research is across the continent. Brass states that she had put so much work and compassion into her research, events like this happening is what they want to continue to do.
“In order for Indigenous research to be taken whole-heartedly in to this institution, those conversations and relationships need to continue to happen,” he says.
IPHRC demonstrated some of their work through theatre games and presented an overview of the work the organization does within the communities.