LITTLE CURRENT—The Manitoulin Anishinaabek Research Review Committee (MARRC) is hosting the R3 2019 Research Conference at the Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre February 1 and 2 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The conference theme is ‘We are taking care of each other’ and will highlight research that has been conducted on Mnidoo Mnising (Manitoulin) during the past five years and everyone is invited.
“Our last research conference was held in 2013. This year’s conference is intended to give First Nation community members the opportunity to find out the results of research that they may have participated in during the past five years,” said Lorilee McGregor PhD, chair of the MARRC committee. “The other objective of the conference is for community members to give feedback on how research is being done, whether it benefits our communities and to consider the role of research in reconciliation. The conference is being funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and is supported by our host organization Noojmowin Teg Health Centre.”
The keynote speakers for the R3 2019 MARRC Research Conference will be Dr. Deborah McGregor, who will be presenting ‘Toward an Anishinaabe Research Paradigm: Theory and Practice’ and Dr. Cindy Peltier will present ‘An Application of Two-Eyed Seeing: Indigenous Research Methods with Participatory Action Research.’
Despite the academic sounding titles of these keynotes, the conference is aimed at a wide audience, hoping to bridge the communication divide between academic researchers and the general public, particularly those community members who have been engaged in providing data for research projects and studies.
MARRC research assistant Michael-Ann MacLean noted that there will be 16 research projects highlighted during the conference and that those attending will have an opportunity to learn what the benefits and outcomes of those studies will be. “The conference will provide an opportunity to learn how the research projects impact the community,” she said. “What the outcomes are and how they impact the community.”
Among the presenters scheduled to shine a light on their work are: Rob Wabegijig and Mark Forsyth, Susan Snelling and Danielle Bourgault, Chelsea Gabel and Nicole Goodman, Mary Jo Wabuno and Nancy Young, Richard Herman, Chantel Belanger and Michele Lim, Sean Meades and Deb Pine, Carol Mayer, Karen Pitawanakwat and Marion McGregor, Mark Bruner and Kieran Pelletier, Sheldon Tobe, Marion Maar, Shelley Trudeau, Joshua Manitowabi and Melanie Manitowabi, with others to be announced.
There will also be small group discussions on “Describe your research experiences here on Manitoulin Island.” “What can be done to improve how research is done with Anishinaabek?” “What advice would you give to researchers who want to do research with Anishinaabek?” “What are some good practices that should be shared with other researchers?” “What does reconciliation mean to you?” “How has research impacted Anishinaabek people and communities on Manitoulin? (probes: program or policy changes in social, health, environment, education, economic])” and “What is the role of research in reconciliation?”
There is no registration fee required to attend this event and snacks and lunches will be provided. Participants are requested to register with Michael-Ann MacLean by email at michaelann.maclean@noojmowin-teg.ca or by calling 705-368-0229 ext. 242.
