Proposals

The Maamwizing Indigenous Research Institute at Laurentian University, located on the traditional territory of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and on the territory of the Robinson- Huron Treaty of 1850, are pleased to announce a two-day multidisciplinary conference. “Maamwizing” refers to “people collaborating together.” Building from the success of Maamwizing 2016, 2018, & 2022, this year’s conference will focus on community-driven research with, for, and by Indigenous Peoples.

 

Indigenous community-driven research ensures Indigenous people, knowledge, governance, languages, ceremonies, relationships, land reclamation, and self-determination are at the forefront in all stages of the process (process stages).  Community-driven research takes a decolonizing approach by centering community and culturally-based knowledge and perspectives within the research journey and not the careers of researchers within the academy.  There are many terms used to describe research with community within the academy: community-centred, community-based, community-minded, and community-engaged, to name a few. According to Finlay and colleagues (2010), the depth of the relational process involved in community-driven research represents social innovation at its core. Each partner within their community-driven research is committed to building the organization while meeting each challenge and opportunity with integrity and determination. This is its strength. Research affects everyone, including those who work within the institution, which can be forgotten when we place ourselves in artificial settings  to test or prove a theory. What are the impacts of research when we work with communities on their terms and on what they want? 

 

Maamwizing 2024 conference is dedicated to hosting a respectful knowledge exchange through ceremony, keynote speakers, workshops, social events, panel discussions, creative/art-based sessions, individual papers, and poster exhibits.

 

Our conference will take up these discussions/presentations. We request proposals that address any of the following areas: 

• Indigenous community-driven research projects in practice (knowledge, governance, languages, ceremonies, relationships, land reclamation and self-determination, etc.)

• Critical and emergent Indigenous community-driven research methodologies

• Indigenous data governance models in community-driven research (including physical infrastructure)

• Connection to community; how do we live and work on the land; ceremony  

• Indigenous art and design as they connect to community-driven projects

• Storytelling about community strengths

• Land-based education

• Film as related to research driven by community

 

We invite proposals from community members and community organizations that are engaged in community-driven initiatives, as well as academics representing a broad number of disciplines and areas, including, but not limited to, science and engineering, Indigenous studies, cultural studies, health, education, anthropology/archaeology, social work, architecture and design, art, sociology, political studies, history, literature, and more. 

 

HOW TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL 

We welcome proposals from individual presenters and groups and proposals for complete sessions. We welcome proposals in Anishinaabemowin, French, or English. Proposals must be submitted here https://forms.gle/2W7ZMhbW7FBYz4FA7 and should include the following: 

 

• Contact information: participant’s name, institutional/community affiliation, email address and phone number. 

• An abstract of 300 words maximum, including the title, or a 5-minute video submission. 

• A brief biography of the participant (150 words maximum). 

• Type of session for which the proposal is intended (see types mentioned above). 

  • Art-based

  • On-the-Land activities

  • Language learning sessions

  • Film viewing/discussion sessions

  • Academic sessions–either individual papers or proposals for complete sessions

  • Poster presentation

• Method of delivery 

• The target audience (academics, language speakers, community members, other) 

• Proposed length of the session (subject to logistics and availability)

 

*If you are submitting a proposal in Anishinaabemowin please indicate if your presentation will be in the language.

 

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS IS SEPTEMBER 12, 2024.  Participants will be informed of the acceptance of their proposal by September 20, 2024.

Finlay, J., Nagy, A., & Gray-McKay, C. (2010). Searching together: A model for community-driven research in remote First Nations" (2010). Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi). 26. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/aprci/26