A guidebook to better equip Indigenous Nations and communities with the knowledge, tools, and questions to engage in research partnerships on their own terms.
The First Nations Guide to Working with Universities (currently under contract) will be an open access resource for First Nations interested in negotiating more equitable research relationships with academics (and academic publishers) or who just want to learn more about the research business in what is colonially known as Canada.
The guide will help make the inner workings of academia transparent to community leaders and advocates, so that First Nations outside the academy can negotiate and interface more successfully with researchers and research institutions.
Meet the Team
Dr. Brittany Luby, whose paternal ancestors originate from Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation, is an Associate Professor at the University of Guelph.
The project was inspired by Chief Cobiness’ request that Luby create training resources for Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation’s Consultation Coordinator. Chief Cobiness’ request drew attention to information barriers faced by First Nations interested in collaborative research.
Luby is supported by co-creators Emma Scott, who has been involved in the project since its inception in 2021, and Johanna Lewis who joined the Creative Team in 2022.
Chief Lorraine Cobiness has eight terms of experience as Chief of Niisaachewan Anishinaabe First Nation. She will act as an advisor to The First Nations Guide to Working with Universities to guide research objectives, as well as the creation and dissemination of the guidebook.
Lucas King is the Director of the Territorial Planning Unit of Grand Council Treaty #3. From Winnipeg, Manitoba in Treaty #1 Territory of Settler descent, Lucas has grown up spending time on the waters of Lake of the Woods. Lucas’s academic background is in Environmental Science and has a Masters in Water Resources Engineering from the University of Manitoba. Lucas's professional focus is in Anishinaabe governance and treaty relationships as they relate to the land and water. Lucas will act as an advisor to the First Nations Guide to Working with Universities, guiding the creation and dissemination of the guidebook.
Johanna Lewis (they/them) is an academic studying global histories of empire and colonialism, a community organizer fighting for racial and economic justice, a community based research advocate, a committed educator, and a queer femme parent. They live and work in Toronto, on Dish with One Spoon lands that have long been stewarded by the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat, and are the current treaty territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit.
Emma Scott (she/they) is a Masters of Library and Information Science candidate at the University of Western Ontario. She graduated with distinction from the University of Guelph. Her previous academic and professional work has ignited her passion for research, whether it be sifting through stacks of books or online databases. She currently resides in London, Ontario, on lands associated with the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796.
Ben Waswa is a doctoral student at York University and Anishinaabe from Treaty 9. His interests are in the pre-20th century material and social history of present-day Northwestern Ontario. Ben’s academic background includes a Masters in History from Queen’s University. He currently lives in Toronto.