Blog

Welcome to the home of IRSI's BLOG

Is there a topic you’d like us to explore in the blog? Contact us here to let us know.

Honoring Indigenous Scholars: In conversation with Mary Song

To commemorate IRSI's 5-year anniversary, we take great pleasure in presenting an insightful account of the organization's journey over the last five years. Our objective is to illuminate who IRSI is, as well as its evolution and growth. As part of this series, we are honored to showcase a group of exceptional individuals who have made significant contributions to Indigenous research. Through engaging dialogues and conversations, we have highlighted impactful projects, partnerships, and

Honoring UBC IRSI IAC Members: In conversation with Fran Hunt-Jinnouchi

Fran has more than 20 years of experience in senior management and direct engagement working with Indigenous peoples. Her areas of expertise include Indigenous adult and post-secondary education and training. Fran is currently the Executive Director of the Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness and was the inaugural Director of the Office of Indigenous Affairs at the University of Victoria. Fran is also an entrepreneur and owns a consulting business, Hunt-Jinnouchi Enterprises. She has a

Allyship in Motion: Dr. Helen Burt

When Dr. Helen Burt first joined UBC as an assistant professor of pharmaceutics in 1980, she could hardly have known that one day she would play a leading role in UBC's efforts at reconciliation. Yet, that's exactly what she has done. Several decades later, her work to co-create the Indigenous Research Support Initiative (IRSI) and support a community-driven approach to Indigenous research at UBC have resulted in institutional changes that will advance the institution's vision of being a global

Qwelminte Secwepemc Internship Program Builds Capacity for Nation, Students

Qwelminte Secwepemc are a collective of seven Secwépemc communities: Adams Lake Indian Band, Little Shuswap Lake Band, Shuswap Indian Band, Simpcw, Skeetchestn, Splatsin, and Tk’emlups te Secwepemc. In April of 2019, Qwelminte Secwepemc launched the TeamSku7pecen Intern Program, an initiative that builds capacity for the participating communities by inviting Indigenous university students to become active players for transformation in land and resource management in ways that uphold Secwepemc

NISGA’A SCHOLAR LAUNCHES UBC’S NEW CENTRE FOR INDIGENOUS FISHERIES

Q&A WITH DR. ANDREA REID Indigenous fisheries scientist, conservation biologist, and Nisga’a Nation member Dr. Andrea Reid joins UBC’s Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries (IOF) this January as an Assistant Professor of Indigenous Fisheries Science and Principal Investigator of the new Centre for Indigenous Fisheries (CIF). Dr. Reid comes to UBC from Carleton University, where she completed her PhD in Biology and received the Governor General’s Gold Medal and University Medal for Outstanding