Indigenous & Northern Communities

Indigenous Institutes play an essential role in helping Indigenous peoples—Canada’s fastest-growing population prepare for the labour market. And they bring a distinctly Indigenous lens to higher education. Many are looking for ways to support Indigenous learners and provide culturally safe spaces for learning and research.

Online experience  |  8-min read
December 7, 2020

Industrial development drives economic potential for Indigenous people. Realizing that potential requires a long-term commitment by Indigenous leaders, industry, and governments to build prosperity aligned with Indigenous values and community development.

Issue briefing  |  15-min read
November 9, 2020

The Indigenous population in Canada is younger and growing more rapidly than any other socio-demographic segment in the country. Expanding resource development opportunities and increasing recognition of Indigenous rights are creating unique economic opportunities for Indigenous peoples.

Impact paper  |  32-min read
October 13, 2020

Engineers frequently deal with practical problems. But how well are engineering schools preparing them for situations where cultural differences can make or break a project?

Commentary  |  4-min read
October 7, 2020

In a world shaken by the pandemic crisis and social inequality, many voices are now calling for measures to build a more inclusive society and economy. In Canada’s North, Inuit have been developing their own vision of inclusive growth, one where they share the same quality of life as all Canadians.

Op-ed  |  4-min read
June 24, 2020

Pandemics and diseases loom large in the history of Indigenous groups in Canada. Past outbreaks have had devastating outcomes, fueled by colonial policies and persistent inequalities.

Commentary  |  4-min read
June 15, 2020

This primer identifies general trends in the current population of Indigenous entrepreneurs in Canada, examines the various reasons individuals choose entrepreneurship, and explores the challenges Indigenous entrepreneurs face in the North.

Primer  |  35-min read
June 15, 2020

When educators use a culturally responsive curriculum—one that bridges Indigenous ways of knowing with Western science—Indigenous students are more engaged and perform better.

Primer  |  40-min read
June 11, 2020

Economic growth in Canada’s North has outpaced the rest of the country. This primer discusses the challenges still faced by Indigenous people in the North, who continue to experience socio-economic disparities.

Primer  |  30-min read
June 9, 2020

The threat of COVID-19 looms large for many rural and remote Indigenous communities in Canada. These communities are especially concerned about the vulnerability of their Elders and the irreplaceable knowledge they hold.

Online experience  |  8-min read
April 20, 2020

Although it might seem like science fiction, remote surgery is a rapidly emerging technology. Space agencies and militaries are especially interested in developing safe, reliable remote surgery tools. From a technology standpoint, the moment a surgeon is no longer personally handling the surgical tools, distance becomes irrelevant. If surgeons can be five metres away from a patient, they could be 50 metres, 50 kilometres, or even 500 kilometres away.

Online experience  |  8-min read
April 6, 2020

In Canada, there are consistent gaps in both employment and income between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations. These gaps aren’t uniform, either. Between on-reserve First Nations, off-reserve First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, as well as between men and women, noticeable differences exist. This is holding back economic growth and hurting economic reconciliation.

Online experience  |  8-min read
March 26, 2020

About 4 per cent of Canadian adults are Indigenous. But less than 2 per cent of people working in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) occupations are. Improving Indigenous participation and leadership in major economic sectors, such as science, technology, and finance, is an important part of the reconciliation journey.

Online experience  |  8-min read
March 26, 2020

In 1972 the Assembly of First Nations—launched a movement by First Nations to reclaim control of their education. Fifty years on, many forms of Indigenous-centred post-secondary education (PSE) exist in Canada. All of them aspire to help Indigenous students succeed.

Online experience  |  8-min read
March 26, 2020