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Indspire announces the creation of the Indspire Research Knowledge Nest Advisory Committee

July 28, 2020 – Ohsweken, ON

Indspire is excited to announce the creation of the Indspire Research Knowledge Nest’s new Advisory Committee. These four key stakeholders are professionals whose unique expertise will provide the Research Nest with insightful, pertinent, valuable guidance to fulfil its vital mandate; to improve Indigenous educational attainment, labour market outcomes and community prosperity through ground-breaking Indigenous research.

All four members of this new Advisory Committee have a deep understanding of how to conduct and support quantitative research in an Indigenous context. They will contribute their extensive expertise to the research directions undertaken by the Research Nest, a ground-breaking new initiative staffed with Indigenous researchers using Indigenous frames-of-reference. Using Indspire’s extensive data holdings, the Research Nest will answer pressing education and labour market questions currently facing First Nations, Inuit and Métis (FNIM) communities in Canada.

The Advisory Committee will also provide mentorship for the Research Nest’s Research Assistants, helping to facilitate the professional development of these early-career Indigenous researchers and data scientists. The members of the Committee are:

Tabatha Bull – Currently the CEO of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business in Toronto, Tabatha is Anishinaabe and a proud member of Nipissing First Nation near North Bay, ON. An electrical engineer from the University of Waterloo, Tabatha led the First Nations and Métis Relations team at the IESO, Ontario’s electricity system operator, prior to joining the CCAB.

Donna Feir –Donna is an applied econometrician and assistant professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Victoria who received her Ph.D. at the University of British Columbia. She has published on reconciliation, modern Indigenous labour market experiences, health, and the impact of historic and current policies on Indigenous economies. 

Robert Gillezeau – Prior to his appointment as an assistant professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Victoria, Rob served as the Chief Economist in the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition from 2011 until 2015 in Ottawa, Ontario. A Métis economist and economic historian, he focuses his research on topics in labour economics and public policy.

Tim Leonard – As Senior Research Manager at Indigenous Services Canada, Tim’s research has encompassed many aspects of Indigenous-centred research, with his prior experience as a Manager at Statistics Canada also contributing to his desire to examine Indigenous educational and labour outcomes in a lasting, change-making way.

“The Advisory Committee members are proven bridge-builders who will provide the Research Knowledge Nest with a deep awareness of and experience in grounding research initiatives and strategic advice in the spirit of reconciliation”, said Roberta Jamieson, President and CEO of Indspire. “We are truly fortunate to share their knowledge as part of this prestigious new initiative – and as guidance for the Research Assistants, the next generation of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis analysts and researchers.”

Economic and Social Development Canada and Suncor Energy Foundation are fundamental partners of the Research Nest, working with Indspire to provide a totally unique, curated training program that provides mentorship and work experience to early-career Indigenous researchers and data scientists.

For more information about the Advisory Committee members or about the Research Nest, come and visit us here or email research@indspire.ca .

About Indspire

Indspire is an Indigenous national charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada. With the support of its funding partners, Indspire provides financial awards, delivers programs and shares resources so that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students will achieve their highest potential. In 2019-2020, Indspire provided over $17.8 million through more than 5,100 bursaries and scholarships to First Nations, Inuit and Métis students across Canada. For more information, please visit indspire.ca.

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For media interviews and more information, please contact:

Nick Foglia
Vice President, Communications and Marketing
nfoglia@indspire.ca
416-981-0260

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