SSHRC – Reconciliation Network in Response to Call to Action 65

Aboriginal Peoples

Community, Regional & Enterprise Development

Creative Arts, Culture and Heritage

Governance and Public Policy

Social Justice

Deadlines

Academic Unit: Inquire within unit

Memorial Deadline: Monday 8th, May 2023

External Deadline: Monday 15th, May 2023

Description

In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) Call to Action 65, the Reconciliation Network in Response to Call to Action 65 is a joint initiative between the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) and SSHRC. This unique opportunity supports establishment of a national research program with multiyear funding to advance collective understanding of reconciliation.

The TRC defines “reconciliation” as an ongoing process of establishing and maintaining respectful relationships. The TRC explained:

“[R]econciliation must support Aboriginal peoples as they heal from the destructive legacies of colonization that have wreaked such havoc in their lives. But it must do even more. Reconciliation must inspire Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples to transform Canadian society so that our children and grandchildren can live together in dignity, peace, and prosperity on these lands we now share.”

One of the NCTR’s goals is to provide educational and employment opportunities to Indigenous Peoples. In alignment with this, and in keeping with the principles and strategic directions in SSHRC’s Indigenous Research Statement of Principles and in the federal research funding agencies’ strategic plan, Setting new directions to support Indigenous research and research training in Canada 2019-2022, this joint initiative is designated for research projects led by First Nations, Métis Nation or Inuit researchers as applicant / project director.

SSHRC and the NCTR invite teams led by First Nations, Métis Nation or Inuit researchers to submit proposals for new or existing formal partnerships that contribute to our collective understanding of truth and reconciliation. Proposals could, for example, address residential schools’ history, or the ongoing legacy of residential schools and Canada’s policies of assimilation in one or more areas, including child welfare, education, language and culture, health, and justice.

The TRC noted closing residential schools did not end their impacts on Indigenous Peoples; Indigenous Peoples continue to experience systemic discrimination across sectors, which persists as part of government policies of assimilation and undermines reconciliation.

The NCTR and SSHRC recognize the experience of northern Inuit communities and16 encourage Inuit-led teams to submit proposals focusing on the realities of the Inuit Nunangat.

As part of the Reconciliation Network, the teams funded under this initiative will participate in coordination activities managed by the NCTR in its role as coordination hub for the network. Teams will participate in:

•  – regular dialogue and networking among projects, under the guidance of the Reconciliation Network      Coordination Hub;
• – knowledge mobilization activities, which may include podcasts, conference panels, etc.;
• – any conferences organized by the Reconciliation Network Coordination Hub, which may also result in
•   publication of public reports exploring and highlighting research achievements; and
• – activities to support the success of the network and the promotion of interactions between teams.

In their proposals, applicants should integrate the NCTR coordination hub into their knowledge mobilization plans, and discuss how they will work with the NCTR in their project (i.e., what resources you will need). For example, knowledge mobilization plans should include participation in network meetings and discussions with the hub knowledge mobilization coordinator. Each project is expected to propose and include a budget request for one knowledge mobilization activity for the entire network. The NCTR will make its resources available to the network teams.

Addtional details can be found on the SSHRC website, here.

SSHRC will be holding two webinars for applicants and research administrators on the Reconciliation Network in Response to Call to Action 65 funding opportunity, a joint initiative between the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) and SSHRC.

The webinars will be held via WebEx at the following dates and times:

Funding Sources

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)