What We Heard: the three federal research funding agencies release report addressing perspectives on Indigenous citizenship and membership

The three federal research funding agencies—the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)—have released a new report  reflecting voices and perspectives of Indigenous Peoples about Indigenous citizenship and membership.  

What We Heard: A Report from the Three Federal Research Funding Agencies’ Ad Hoc Working Group on Indigenous Citizenship and Membership focuses the outcomes of a series of engagements held by the three agencies throughout spring and summer 2023 around Indigenous citizenship and membership affirmation.

The report stems from a commitment under Setting new directions to support Indigenous research and research training in Canada, the Canada Research Coordinating Committee’s strategic plan identifying how better to support Indigenous research and research training in Canada. The resulting strategy’s implementation will be guided by the Indigenous Leadership Circle in Research.

CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC are establishing a common set of principles and guidelines to better understand complexities of Indigenous citizenship and membership, and ensure funding opportunities through the three agencies intended for Indigenous researchers are provided to them.

Contributors to the What We Heard report include Indigenous academics, researchers and administrators, as well as institutions’ leaders. They clearly expressed the need to move beyond self-identification to ensure funding and other opportunities intended for Indigenous People are held by Indigenous People.

The report reflects on recent developments in postsecondary spaces as institutions embark on similar journeys. It also outlines key principles that will inform future work in these areas.

Six common themes emerged from the report’s engagement dialogues:

• Theme 1: The need to move beyond self-identification    
• Theme 2: Indigenous self-determination and respecting Indigenous rights bearers      
• Theme 3: Avoiding additional barriers or harm             
• Theme 4: A focus on relationships and connection        
• Theme 5: Data privacy and protection of personal information     
• Theme 6: Consequences for fraudulent claims             

Finally, the report outlines additional considerations for policy development and implementation. These include further engagement, by the agencies via the Indigenous Leadership Circle in Research and other contributors, to develop a framework for Indigenous citizenship and membership affirmation in key agency programs and funding opportunities.