What we do
We define research as the systematic and intentional process of collecting information in order to understand and produce new knowledge about a subject. In the past, research was often done to Indigenous communities by non-Indigenous people, causing harm and taking knowledge without giving back.
Our lab does research differently.
Our lab exists to uplift Indigenous voices through ethical, community-driven research that advances systems change.
Our Approach
Our approach to research starts and ends with community.
- Listening First: Communities decide what matters and guide the questions we ask.
- Relationships & Collaboration: We build trust, create agreements, and design tools that work best for each community.
- Indigenous Data Sovereignty: Communities have ownership, control, access, and possession (OCAP®) of their knowledge.
- Community-Informed Analysis: We use Indigenous approaches and involve community in making meaning from the data.
- Sharing Knowledge: We return findings in clear, accessible ways chosen together with community.
Our Research Areas
As an Indigenous-led research lab, we have expertise and experience in many areas that affect Indigenous life, including:
- Mental Health, Madness, and Healing
- Disability Justice Inclusion
- Land-Based Approaches and Education
- Early Childhood and Early Learning
- Traditional Indigenous Knowledge, Story Work, and Cultural Approaches
- Policy, Governance, and Systems Change
Our Methods
We use approaches that are ethical, relational, and rooted in Indigenous knowledge. Our methods include:
- Storytelling, Interviews, and Sharing Circles
- Community Co-Design and Participatory Action Research
- Institutional Ethnography and Systems Mapping
- Environmental Scans and Policy Analysis
- Literature Reviews and Knowledge Synthesis
- Program Evaluation and Wise Practices Research
our current research
Our Children, Our Way - Nishnawbe Aski Nation: Wise Practices
We support the creation of a NAN-specific early learning and child care strategy by conducting literature review, data synthesis, and six pilot projects.
Bridging the Gap: Indigenous Youth Leading the Path to Improved Mental Health Systems
This project examines overlooked spaces and systemic gaps in mental health services for Indigenous youth in the GTA using qualitative institutional ethnography.
Reconciling Together: Anti-Colonial Curriculum
This research explores how Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators conceptualize anti-colonial curriculum design through surveys and interpretive analysis.
Indigenous Youth Rising
Co-design an Indigenous youth leadership model in collaboration with FOPT and the University of Guelph to co-design sessions, focus groups, interviews, and a national survey.
Indigenous-Disability Affirming Early Learning & Care
Partner engagement research project to co-develop and pilot training materials for early childhood professionals, focusing on disability-affirming practices.
Indigenous Healing Lodges
We explore the foundational elements of culturally anchored healing spaces for Indigenous communities in Peel and York Regions through community consultation and analysis.
Facilitating Anti-Ableist Remote Music Making
Keepers of the Circle: Indigenous Early Learning Child Care Evaluation
Keepers of the Circle: Indigenous Early Learning Child Care Evaluation
This project investigates barriers and opportunities for musical participation among urban Indigenous youth through collaborative inquiry and community engagement.
Keepers of the Circle: Indigenous Early Learning Child Care Evaluation
Keepers of the Circle: Indigenous Early Learning Child Care Evaluation
Keepers of the Circle: Indigenous Early Learning Child Care Evaluation
This research evaluates a land-based early childhood program in Temiskaming by using community-driven evaluation methods that honor Indigenous pedagogies and environmental teachings.
Youth Meaning Making Photovoice
Keepers of the Circle: Indigenous Early Learning Child Care Evaluation
Youth Meaning Making Photovoice
We document Indigenous youth mental health experiences across two reserve communities using photovoice to foster reflection, healing, and agency.
Telling Our Stories
Supporting Neurodiverse Indigenous Youth
Youth Meaning Making Photovoice
This project amplifies the voices of autistic youth in Northern Ontario and Indigenous communities through collaborative arts-based research to co-create solutions.
Supporting Neurodiverse Indigenous Youth
Supporting Neurodiverse Indigenous Youth
Supporting Neurodiverse Indigenous Youth
This project develops a culturally anchored toolkit to support neurodiverse Indigenous youth using systematic review, module development, and visual storytelling.
Our Past Research
Supporting Neurodiverse Indigenous Youth
Supporting Neurodiverse Indigenous Youth
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