A growing number of Indigenous women in the North are engaging in field research, inspiring a new wave of female scholars, according to researchers. Nicole Redvers, an associate professor at Western University and a member of the Deninu Kue First Nation in the N.W.T., noted a significant rise in female Indigenous students pursuing advanced degrees in recent years.
Statistics Canada reported an uptick in Indigenous women enrolling in post-secondary education in Canada between 2016 and 2021, with a notable increase in those holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. However, there is a lack of readily available data on the involvement of Indigenous women in field research in the North. Redvers suggested that a centralized university in the North could streamline the tracking of such information across all territories.
Several factors are driving this trend, including geopolitical interest in the Arctic, new funding opportunities, and the heightened visibility of female Indigenous researchers. Redvers emphasized the importance of representation in research spaces, stating that seeing oneself reflected in those environments is crucial for aspiring researchers.
Education and funding disparities highlighted in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action have prompted academic institutions to address systemic barriers affecting Indigenous students and researchers. However, Redvers stressed that genuine change stems from Indigenous individuals advocating for transformation.
Ashley Ens, a PhD student and member of the Nihtat Gwich’in in the N.W.T., highlighted the evolving role of Indigenous women as knowledge holders. She emphasized the significance of asserting Indigenous methodologies, community knowledge, and responsibilities within academic settings.
Indigenous female researchers are reshaping academic landscapes by fostering supportive environments that accommodate familial and community obligations. Ens shared her personal experience of pursuing a PhD while raising a child, noting the importance of inclusive and accepting spaces for women in academia.
While progress has been made, Ens emphasized the need for institutions to provide long-term funding for community-led projects and support for northern students attending southern universities. She underscored the importance of shifting the power dynamics in research to prioritize Indigenous perspectives and communities.
By incorporating traditional knowledge and community engagement into their work, northern researchers are building trust within Indigenous communities, as noted by Redvers. Laurie-Ann Lines, a senior researcher at the Institute for Circumpolar Health Research in Yellowknife, highlighted the increasing number of Indigenous female graduate and post-doctorate students entering the field.
Lines emphasized the role of elders and community members in promoting Indigenous research methodologies and collaboration. She leads a project in the N.W.T. that brings together elders, researchers, and community members, signaling a positive shift in research practices in the North toward more inclusive and community-centered approaches.