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Yellowhead Institute announces its inaugural research fellows

September 12, 2018

By Suelan Toye

Leading Indigenous thinkers cutting across a broad spectrum, from policy analysts and scholars to independent researchers, have been tapped by the Yellowhead Institute as its inaugural research fellows.

“Our first cohort of Yellowhead research fellows are widely respected, committed researchers, analysts and activists who are deeply invested in First Nation communities. They will play an important role in shaping our agenda and contributing to our push for transformative change in relations with Canada,” said Dr. Hayden King, executive director of the institute and an Anishinaabe scholar from Beausoleil First Nation on Gchi’mnissing in Huronia, Ontario.

The researchers will work with Yellowhead Institute to support First Nation assertions of self-determination, engaging in public education, research and analysis on Indigenous policy.

The research fellows are:

John Cutfeet, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation
Communication & negotiation support for the Health Transformation Initiative, Nishnawbe Aski Nation

Cutfeet has worked on issues related to mining, development and peace, and has coordinated watershed work on Indigenous communities. He lives in Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation and continues to engage in the traditional pursuits of living off the land.

Ellen Gabriel, Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) from Kanehsatà:ke
Cultural Consultant, Human Rights and Environmental Advocate for Indigenous peoples

As a researcher and activist, Gabriel has been a strong human rights and environmental advocate for the rights of Indigenous peoples. She was president of the Quebec Native Women’s Association (2004 – 2010) and has presented at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

Christina Gray, Ts’msyen member of Lax Kw’alaams, Dene and Metis from Lutsel K’e
LLM Candidate at the University of Victoria Faculty of Law, Law Society of Ontario, Secretary of the Indigenous Bar Association Board of Directors

Gray’s research explores Indigenous constitutionalism and the overlapping and distinct legal characteristics of Indigenous legal orders within the context of human rights. She is also involved with the Indigenous Law Research Unit and the Sustainable Water Governance and Indigenous Law SSHRC project.

Sákéj Henderson, Bear Clan of the Chickasaw Nation and Cheyenne Tribe
Lawyer; Research Fellow, Native Law Centre of Canada; Member of the Sectoral Commission on Culture, Communication and Information of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO and Experts Advisory Group on International Cultural Diversity

Henderson is a noted international human rights lawyer and an authority of protecting Indigenous heritage, knowledge and culture. His research looks at legal decisions, legislation, policy, program and other administrative decision-making.

Shalene Jobin, Cree and Métis, Red Pheasant Cree First Nation (Treaty Six)
Associate Professor in the Faculty of Native Studies; Director of the Indigenous Governance and Partnership program, University of Alberta

Jobin is involved in numerous community-centred research projects, including the Wahkohtowin Project, a land-based research and pedagogical initiative grounding university learning with Cree Elders and knowledge keepers on the land.

Tanya Kappo, Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation
Activist and lawyer

Kappo focuses on working towards creating space for an authentic existence of Indigenous people. As a lawyer, she represented survivors of residential schools and recently worked with the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Dëneze Nakehk'o, Dene, Liidlii Kue First Nation
Founding member, Dene Nahjo

Nakehk'o is a strong advocate for Indigenous knowledge systems, particularly Dene ways of knowing. As one of the founding members of Dene Nahjo, he works at encouraging and supporting connections/re-connections to land, language and culture.

Sherry Pictou, Mi’kmaw from L’sitkuk (Bear River First Nation)
Assistant Professor, Women's Studies, Mount Saint Vincent University

Dr. Pictou’s research focuses on Indigenous feminism, treaty relations, Indigenous knowledge and food systems. She has served the broader Mi’kmaw community in several capacities including being elected Chief for her community and as a former co-chair of the World Forum of Fisher People.

Brock Pitawanakwat, Anishinaabe, Whitefish River First Nation
Assistant Professor and Department Chair, Indigenous Studies, University of Sudbury

Pitawanakwat’s research interests intersect with language revitalization and Indigenous concepts of health and wellness. After completing his PhD at the University of Victoria in 2009, he held several academic positions at the University of Winnipeg and First Nations University of Canada as well as serving as a senior researcher with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada in 2013.

Raven Sinclair, Nehiyaw (Cree) from George Gordon First Nation, Treaty 4 Territory
Professor, Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina

Sinclair’s academic background is psychology and social work; she holds a PhD from the University of Calgary. She is a survivor of the Sixties Scoop and has been researching the issue of the Indigenous Child Removal System in Canada since 1998.

Courtney Skye, Six Nations of the Grand River Territory
Policy Analyst and Senior Program Analyst, Ontario Association of Children Aid Societies

Skye has led policy development for the public sector from the local to national level. This includes a framework for youth development and a strategy to end violence against Indigenous women. Her goal is to end all forms of colonial violence experienced by Indigenous peoples.

Tim Thompson, Mohawk Nation, Bear Clan Family, Wahta Mohawk Territory
Policy Analyst

Karihwakeron is a strong proponent of Indigenous language revitalization, and is a proud graduate of the Onkwawén:na Kentióhkwa Kanienkéha/Mohawk language immersion program. His areas of research and activism are education and language revitalization.

Vanessa Watts, Six Nations of the Grand River
Assistant Professor, Indigenous Studies and Sociology, McMaster University

Watts’s research explores how Indigenous peoples and their lands are influenced by colonialism and efforts to revitalize traditional governance systems amidst this. Her experience in the non-profit, government and post-secondary sectors gives her a broad understanding of the impacts colonialism and legislation have on Indigenous communities.

Matthew Wildcat, Nehiyaw, Ermineskin Cree Nation
Instructor, University of Alberta

Wildcat’s primary research interest is on the history of Indigenous political orders on the prairies and contemporary Indigenous institutions. He is currently completing his PhD in political science at the University of British Columbia.

Tara Williamson, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Gaabishkigamaag (Swan Lake, MB)
Independent Researcher and Consultant

For the past seven years, Williamson has been a professor and instructor at Ryerson University/First Nations Technical Institute, Fleming College, Trent University and the University of Winnipeg. As a researcher and consultant, she has worked with and for Indigenous communities and organizations at the local, regional, provincial and national levels.

For a full list of the fellows’ biographies, please visit: yellowheadinstitute.org/research-fellows (external link, opens in new window) 

Launched in June, Yellowhead Institute is a First Nation-led research centre based in the Faculty of Arts (opens in new window)  at Ryerson University. Privileging First Nation philosophy and rooted in community networks, Yellowhead focuses on policies related to land and governance. The institute offers critical and accessible resources for communities in their pursuit of self-determination. It also aims to foster education and dialogue on First Nation governance across fields of study, between the university and the wider community, and among Indigenous peoples and Canadians.