Aboriginal Health Research Network Secretariat Aboriginal Health Research Network Secretariat Aboriginal Health Research Network Secretariat

January 18th, 2012

The world’s first research space dedicated to bringing scholars and Indigenous communities together to create an innovative understanding of Indigenous governance and solutions for political decolonization opened its doors to the public on Jan. 18, 2012.

The research space amplifies and supports the research of Kiera Ladner, Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Politics and Governance, and five graduate students. At the opening today in the Isbister Building, Ladner and her students were joined by representatives from Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.

Mamawipawin, a Cree word that roughly means “the space where we gather”, has an architectural design that reflects critical Indigenous teachings about community, individuality, research and life. It also has a ventilation system to support Indigenous research protocols like smudging ceremonies.

It is a physical, a technological, and an intellectual space which will enable both discussions of, and potentially the realization of, resurgence, resistance and transformation in Indigenous politics. It is a space that promotes new thinking about research, generative methodological transformations, and finding new ways of doing research with Indigenous peoples around the world; Ladner is already working with scholars at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand.

Ladner conducts community-based research into constitutional reconciliation and decolonization. Her work aims at creating a deeper understanding of these competing ideas, both within communities and between Indigenous nations and Canada. Her research and this new space will bring communities together – engaging grassroots, traditional leadership, and political leaders in discussions about their visions of the future. What do they see as self-government? What is the meaning of Indigenous governance and traditional governance? Can traditional governance be recreated to meet modern needs?

One of her students is examining how food security, citizenship and adoption intersects with Canadian law.

The University of Manitoba has a goal of establishing itself as a national centre of excellence in Aboriginal education and this research space will provide great opportunities for Aboriginal students, scholars and community members.

Mamawipawin or the Indigenous Governance and Community Based Research Space was through funding from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI), the Manitoba Research and Innovation Fund (MRIF), the University of Manitoba, and with support from Apple.

For more information contact Sean Moore, Marketing Communications Office, University of Manitoba, 204-474-7963 (sean_moore@umanitoba.ca.).