Indigenous research
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Overview
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada is committed to supporting Indigenous research, researchers, and trainees as part of Canada’s ongoing journey of reconciliation, grounded in respect, reciprocity, and collaboration. Building on the foundation set by NSERC’s strategic plan NSERC 2030 and guided by the Tri-agency strategic plan Setting new directions to support Indigenous research and research training in Canada (SIRC) NSERC works to create inclusive research environments that honour Indigenous knowledge systems and worldviews. By fostering meaningful partnerships with Indigenous communities and organizations, and increasing the participation of Indigenous researchers and trainees, NSERC strives to supports Indigenous-led research and the co-creation of knowledge. These efforts reflect a continuous commitment to reconciliation, ensuring Indigenous voices shape Canada’s research landscape now and into the future.
This page provides comprehensive information on NSERC’s initiatives and support for Indigenous research. For related concepts, principles, and protocols, consult the CCI guide for research involving Indigenous Peoples and communities.
Indigenous research at NSERC
In collaboration with members of the Tri-agency Reference Group for the Appropriate Review of Indigenous research, and drawing on experiences using the SSHRC and CIHR definitions, a definition of Indigenous research in the context of the natural sciences and engineering (NSE) was drafted for use in NSERC programs.
Indigenous research
Research in any field or discipline related to the natural sciences or engineering that is conducted by, grounded in, or meaningfully engagedFootnote 1 with First Nations, Inuit, Métis or other Indigenous Peoples and Nations, communities, societies or individuals, and their wisdom, cultures, experiences or knowledge systems, as expressed in their dynamic forms, past and present.
The definition should be interpreted as two linked sets of requirements: meaningful engagement with Indigenous Peoples, communities, societies or individuals, and, building on this, incorporation of Indigenous knowledge systems, wisdom, cultures, or experiences in the research. These two requirements complement one another and together define what NSERC recognizes as Indigenous research within its programs.
Indigenous research requires that research activities respond to community and/or partner needs and priorities. This may involve:
- contributing to the enhancement of community members’ skills and/or community and/or partner capacity and skills;
- exploring opportunities for reciprocal learning and transfer of skills and knowledge between the community/partner and the research team; and/or
- supporting a community and/or partner in maintaining its culture, language and/or identity, as well as supporting its self-determination.
Indigenous research is grounded in and guided by Indigenous knowledge (IK), which includes traditional and contemporary understandings, skills, and philosophies, rooted in a deep spiritual connection to the natural world and a profound sense of responsibility toward it. This holistic knowledge encompasses body, mind, emotions, and spirit, and is passed down through lived experiences rather than written records. Elders and Knowledge Holders play a vital role in its transmission, using storytelling, ceremonies, land-based living, and interactions with nature, arts, and spiritual practices to convey both the wisdom and the responsibility tied to the natural environment.
