A&S Indigenous Research Ethics Symposium

When and Where

Tuesday, September 23, 2025 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm
William Doo Auditorium
New College
45 Willcocks St, Toronto, ON M5S 2H3

Description

The Dean’s Advisory Committee on Indigenous Research, Teaching, and Learning and the Indigenous Research Network welcome students, researchers, faculty members, and community members to a day of learning at the A&S Indigenous Research Ethics Symposium. This series of discussions will provide an opportunity to reflect on the relational engagement practices of Indigenous faculty, in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities, who partner with Indigenous organizations and communities to undertake research initiatives that aim to serve community priorities.

These critical discussions will be followed by a keynote conversation between the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages, Ronald E. Ignace, and renowned language advocate and practitioner, Karihwakeron Tim Thompson. A feast and Haudenosaunee social, presented by the Indigenous Research Network will follow — all are welcome!

Schedule

Time Activity

12–12:30 p.m.

Check-in & Refreshments

12:30–12:45 p.m.

Opening Prayer

12:45–1 p.m.

Opening Remarks

1:00–2:15 p.m.

Panel 1: Relational Research Ethics and Indigenous Community Engagement 

Moderator: Shannon Simpson

Speakers: Susan Hill, Kevin WhiteHeather Dorries, Kai Recollet

2:15–2:30 p.m.

Break

2:30–3:45 p.m.

Panel 2: Research in the Sciences: Perspectives on Land, Water, Sky, and All Our Relations

Moderator: John Croutch

Speakers: Meagan Hamilton, M. Murphy, Jaime Grimm, Laurie Rousseau-Nepton 

3:45–4:00 p.m.

Break

4:00–5:00 p.m.

Panel 3: The Centrality of Indigenous Languages as Source Knowledge in Indigenous Research

Moderator: Indira Quintasi Orosco

Speakers: Tahohtharatye Joe Brant, Rochelle AllanPedro Mateo Pedro 

5:00–5:15 p.m.

Break

5:15–6:30 p.m.

Fireside Chat: Perspectives on Indigenous Language Rights and Revitalization

Commissioner of Indigenous Languages, Ronald E. Ignace, in conversation with Karihwakeron Tim Thompson, renowned language advocate and practitioner 

6:30–8 p.m.

A feast catered by Nookomis Kitchen;

Traditional Haudenosaunee Social Dances 

 

Biographies

Ronald E. Ignace, Commissioner of Indigenous Languages

Stsmél̓qen, Ronald E. Ignace, is a member of the Secwepemc Nation in Interior British Columbia. He was the elected chief of the Skeetchestn Indian Band for more than 30 years since the early 1980s. He also served as Chairman of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council and president of its cultural society, where he initiated a broad program of research and reclamation on Secwepemc language and culture, including an innovative university partnership with Simon Fraser University (SFU).

He holds a BA and MA in Sociology from the University of British Columbia, and completed his PhD in Anthropology at SFU in 2008, with a dissertation on Secwepemc oral history. He has (co-)written numerous articles and book chapters on Secwepemc history, ethnobotany, language and culture, including the epic Secwepemc People, Land and Laws: Yerí7 re stsq̓ey̓s-kucw, a journey through 10,000 years of Secwepemc history. Read Ronald E. Ignace's full biography.

Karihwakeron Tim Thompson 

Karihwakeron is a strong proponent of Indigenous language revitalization, and is a proud graduate of the Onkwawén:na Kentióhkwa Kanienkéha/Mohawk language immersion program. Karihwakeron has held many roles, including: Policy Director of the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres, Education Director and Director of Languages for the Assembly of First Nations, President and CAO of First Nations Technical Institute.   He currently participates with the Language Defenders, a group who advocates for the recognition and implementation of Indigenous language rights.  Karihwakeron was named as one of twelve defenders of human rights in the “Speak Truth to Power” initiative. 

 

This event is presented by the the Faculty of Arts & Science in partnership with the Indigenous Research Network. 

Register to attend