CIHR: Expression of Interest – Knowledge Keepers

Press Release

(e.g., Elders, Kitchi Anishinaabe, Grandparents) to join the Reference Group for the Appropriate Review of Indigenous Research

The Reference Group for the Appropriate Review of Indigenous Research (Reference Group) is a community group that is looking for 1-3 Indigenous Knowledge Keepers to join them in providing guidance to the three Federal Granting Agencies (CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC) on peer review approaches for research conducted by and with Indigenous communities.

Learn more about the Reference Group.

Role of the Knowledge Keeper in the Reference Group

As full members of the Reference Group, Knowledge Keepers provide advice and recommendations in any deliberations. Knowledge Keepers may provide guidance to the Reference Group on how to bridge Indigenous ways/knowledges with academic funding institutions. Familiarity with ethical issues related to research would be an asset. Knowledge Keepers are asked to open and close meetings to help set the intention for the group.

Time Commitment

Knowledge keepers can participate in the Reference Group based on their availability. The Reference Group meets online (using Microsoft Teams) every 4-6 weeks for approximately 2 hours, and one full-day in-person meeting will also take place each year (when travel is possible). Please note that meetings are held in English, however members are welcome to use the official language of their choice and French translated meeting materials are also made available.

Compensation

Knowledge Keepers will be compensated for providing guidance to the Tri-Agency (i.e. participating in Reference Group meetings). Expenses will also be covered to attend any in-person meetings according to the Government of Canada rates.

Consideration Process

As part of this open Expression of Interest process, Knowledge Keepers are invited to express interest and community members are welcome to nominate Knowledge Keepers at any time. The opportunity will remain open for applications, and submissions received will be reviewed on a quarterly basis. Reference Group members will thoughtfully consider all received applications, and thank those in advance who take the time to submit.

The agencies may reach out to Knowledge Keepers that apply to ask if they are interested in other opportunities (e.g. Indigenous Leadership Circle in Research). **If you do not want to be considered for other opportunities, please say this in your application.

How to Express Interest

Applicants are welcome to submit in the language they are most comfortable with: English, French, or an Indigenous Language (please indicate which Indigenous Language). If you need help to submit, please call 1-833-554-1761 and leave a message with your name and contact information and a Reference Group Helper will follow up to assist you.

To express your interest in joining the Reference Group, please submit the following items (Part A & B). Documents (written documents, audio or video files such as .mp3, .mp4, .mov, .wmv, .pdf, .doc) can be uploaded electronically by using the following link: Knowledge Keeper Expression of Interest Form.

Part A – Responses to these four questions:

1. Tell us about yourself and your work as a knowledge keeper.
2. Being a knowledge keeper means different things in different places. What does being a knowledge keeper mean in your territory?
3. How have you supported other groups in the past, and how have you helped them overcome challenges?
4. Why would it be important for you to be a part of the Reference Group?

Part B – Letter of Support

• Please provide a letter of support from the community^{Footnote 1} or a reference that describes your experience working with groups and/or your role within the community.

To nominate a Knowledge Keeper to join the Reference Group, the following items are required (Parts A, B & C). Documents (written documents, audio or video files such as .mp3, .mp4, .mov, .wmv, .pdf, .doc) can be uploaded electronically by using the following link: Knowledge Keeper Expression of Interest Form.

Part A – Questions to be answered by the Knowledge Keeper (may be submitted by nominator on their behalf)

1. Tell us about yourself and your work as a knowledge keeper.
2. Being a knowledge keeper means different things in different places. What does being a knowledge keeper mean in your territory?
3. How have you supported other groups in the past, and how have you helped them overcome challenges?
4. Why would it be important for you to be a part of the Reference Group?

Part B – Question to be answered by nominator

• Tell us why you are nominating this Knowledge Keeper and how you think they could contribute to the work of the Reference Group

Part C – Letter of Support

• Please provide a letter of support from the community^{Footnote 1} or a reference that describes the Knowledge Keeper’s experience working with groups and/or role within the community.

The Reference Group will review submissions quarterly. The deadline for the next review of submissions will be May 20, 2022.

Footnote 1

Definition of Community from TCPS 2 – Chapter 9: Community describes a group of people with a shared identity or interest that has the capacity to act or express itself as a collective. A community may include members from multiple cultural groups. A community may be territorial, organizational, or a community of interest. “Territorial communities” have governing bodies exercising local or regional jurisdiction (e.g., members of First Nations who reside on reserve lands). “Organizational communities” have explicit mandates and formal leadership (e.g., a regional Inuit association or a friendship centre serving an urban Indigenous community). In both territorial and organizational communities, membership is defined and the community has designated leaders. “Communities of interest” may be formed by individuals or organizations who come together for a common purpose or undertaking, such as a commitment to conserving a First Nations language. Communities of interest are informal communities whose boundaries and leadership may be fluid and less well- defined. They may exist temporarily or over the long term, within or outside of territorial or organizational communities. An individual may belong to multiple communities, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous (e.g., as a member of a local Métis community, a graduate students’ society and a coalition in support of Indigenous rights).

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