Indigenous Scholars Lecture Series

The Indigenous Scholars Lecture Series 2020-21 is a student-led initiative within the Department of Political Science in support of the University of Guelph's commitment to action on equity, diversity, and inclusion. Indigenous scholars from many different treaty and unceded lands presented their research, bringing forward diverse perspectives on politics, governance, and settler colonialism. The series comprised three webinars with eight noted Indigenous scholars.

In total, nearly 250 people attended these webinars indicating strong interest in the important work and ideas of Indigenous scholars. The University is grateful for the learning opportunity provided by all of the participating scholars and for their willingness to make webinar recordings available to all.

The Indigenous Scholars Lecture Series is supported by the University of Guelph Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Enhancement Fund.

Events in the Indigenous Scholars Lecture Series

 

Colonial narratives in the trial of Gerald Stanley

Is Justice Possible for Indigenous People?

Colonial narratives in the trial of Gerald Stanley Transcript

Noted Indigenous scholars discuss their recently published book on settler colonial relations, violence and justice in rural Saskatchewan.

This event was recorded on November 27, 2020.

Event Speakers

  • Gina Starblanket is Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Calgary and a Canada Research Chair in the Politics of Decolonization. Gina is Cree and Saulteaux and a member of the Star Blanket Cree Nation in Treaty 4 territory.
  • Dallas Hunt is Assistant Professor in the Department of English Language and Literatures at the University of British Columbia. He is Cree and a member of Wapsewsipi (Swan River First Nation) in Treaty 8 territory in Northern Alberta, Canada.
  • Moderator: David MacDonald is Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Guelph.
 
 

Sovereignty, Intimacy & Resistance

Legal and Relational Responses to Gendered Violence and Settler Colonialism

Sovereignty, Intimacy & Resistance Transcript

Noted Indigenous scholars discuss research and issues related to gendered violence and settler colonialism.

This event was recorded on February 26, 2021.

Event Speakers

  • Aimée Craft is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Common Law, University of Ottawa and an Indigenous (Anishinaabe-Métis) lawyer from Treaty 1 territory in Manitoba. Aimée Craft spoke to the revitalisation of Indigenous birthing practices and its link to territorial sovereignty and women's jurisdiction.
  • Sarah Hunt / Tłaliłila’ogwa is a Kwagu’ł 2SQ activist scholar, Assistant Professor and Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Political Ecology at the University of Victoria. Sarah's current research focuses on fostering justice across the nested scales of lands/waters, homes and bodies via engagement of coastal peoples' embodied knowledge and land-based cultural practice.
  • Jasmine Feather Dionne, Métis and nehiyaw (Cree) from Treaty 8 territory in Northeastern Alberta, is a PhD student studying political science at the University of Victoria. Jasmine's research interests are Indigenous research methods, Indigenous diplomacy and political relationships, and Indigenous feminist and gender studies.
  • Moderator: Leah R. E. Levac is an associate professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Guelph, and a member of the faculty advisory board at the University's Community Engaged Scholarship Institute.
 
 

Policy, Polity, and Indigenous Health

Examining Political Determinants of Health

Policy, Polity, and Indigenous Health Transcript

Noted Indigenous scholars discuss research and issues related to Indigenous health and political determinants of health.

This event was recorded on March 26, 2021.

Event Speakers

  • Kiera L. Ladner is Canada Research Chair in Miyo we'citowin, Indigenous Governance and Digital Sovereignties, and Professor in the Department of Political Studies at the University of Manitoba, as well as former Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Politics and Governance.
  • Jonathan Dewar, PhD, is the Chief Executive Officer of the First Nations Information Governance Centre. He has spent most of his 20+ year career directing research and knowledge translation initiatives on behalf of Indigenous-governed national NGOs.
  • Dawn (Sii-yaa-ilth-supt) Smith is Nuu-chah-nulth from Ehattesaht. Her research interests include Indigenous self-determination, feminism, antiracism and education. Dawn will transition from Camosun College (Education Strategist for Indigenization and Antiracism) to the University of Victoria (Assistant Professor, Indigenous Governance) in summer 2021.
  • Moderator: Joanne Moores is a PhD candidate in the Department of Political Science at the University of Guelph. Her research in comparative Indigenous politics and public policy will examine the policy process as an important site of political engagement and multi-level governance.