CSPC 2018

Organized by: Colleges and Institutes Canada, Anna Toneguzzo

Indigenous ways of knowing – how First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples relate to the world around them, through community practices, ritual and relations – have traditionally not been integrated into academic research. This valuable expertise is often overlooked. Recognising this gap, colleges and institutes across Canada are developing partnerships with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities to advance applied research on some of the most scientifically pressing issues of our time, which results in social innovation in sectors as diverse as food security, climate change and governance. Applied research undertaken by colleges and institutes is demand- driven, based on local and regional community needs. This is important in urban areas, but particularly in rural, remote and northern areas where colleges are key providers of training, work- integrated learning opportunities and applied research. A key characteristic of applied research is to partner with communities to understand and define the problem that needs to be solved and to then design adequate, applicable and relevant solutions. Colleges and institutes, with their expertise in applied research, training and strong employer connections, are able to draw upon their resources, infrastructure and laboratories to support innovation by, for and with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities. This panel will focus on their experience, lessons learned and the way forward on applied research with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities, while also taking into account how these communities can develop and engage in their own research initiatives.