Research | Indigenous Studies | McMaster University

The Indigenous Studies department carries out a wealth of interdisciplinary research, studying a wide range of Indigenous-related topics.

Faculty and researchers study Indigenous knowledge systems and societies from within, in ways that promote the resurgence of these systems including their philosophies, epistemologies, identities, political governance, land-based practices, cultures, and languages.

The department works closely with local Indigenous community groups and leaders in mutually beneficial relationships.

Ongoing Research Projects

Prison Education Project Learn More

McMaster Indigenous Research Institute’s Prison Education Project increases access to post-secondary education for incarcerated Indigenous peoples.

Indigenous Ironworkers in New York City Learn More

Generations of Haudenosaunee ironworkers played – and continue to play – an integral role in the building of the city, including iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building, the George Washington Bridge and 30 Rock.

Indigenous Experiences with Online Voting Learn More

Exploring the impact of introducing online voting in Indigenous communities, based on eight years of research and collaborations through the First Nations Digital Democracy Project.

Celebrating Community Achievements

Building research capacity and institutional development within the local community of Six Nations has been essential in maintaining the Indigenous Studies Department as a distinctive place of learning.

Faculty have benefitted from research grants including the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Institute of Aboriginal Peoples Health (IAPH) and the National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO).

This funding has built nationwide capacities in Indigenous research. For example, the Indigenous Knowledge Centre, located in Six Nations was established in partnership between McMaster and Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP) to house sacred texts and artifacts, and it engages local community members and McMaster alumni in working with these items.

This Centre also provides space and time for the Six Nations Knowledge Guardians to translate historical documents concerning ceremonies, songs and other traditions from Iroquoian languages to English.

Research Institutes & Centres

McMaster Indigenous Research Institute (MIRI) Learn More

MIRI fosters research excellence and best practices for all Indigenous related research across McMaster.

MIRI is a trusted resource, undertaking and facilitating research initiatives with multiple partners by building upon and enhancing existing relationships between McMaster and community networks.

Indigenous Health Learning Lodge (IHLL) Learn More

The IHLL works alongside the Faculty of Health Sciences towards creating a learning environment that is culturally safe – to work with humility to enable sustainable systems change and to advance the work around concepts of truth, reconciliation and anti-colonization with all aspects of Indigenous health and well-being.

The Feast Centre Learn More

The Feast Centre establishes, maintains and supports Indigenous STBBI (Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections) research programs and initiatives through a national network of community and academic partners.

Research Programs

Indigenous Undergraduate Summer Research Program - Indiginerds Learn More

Indiginerds seeks out innovative, ambitious Indigenous upper-level undergrads to experience research mentorship.

The eight-week intensive program includes workshops and Indigenous knowledge sessions, while providing an opportunity for students to work on a research area of interest with a McMaster faculty supervisor as a conduit to graduate studies at McMaster.

Ohneganos Learn More

Ohneganos is an Indigenous water research program made up of two main projects: Co-Creation of Indigenous Water Quality Tools and Ohneganos – Indigenous Ecological Knowledge, Training, and Co-Creation of Mixed-Method Tools.

Indigenous Health Research Development Program (IHRDP) Learn More

A student-centered approach to community-based health research in Ontario.

The IHRDP assists with building a career structure for students in Aboriginal health research and will focus its resources on community-driven research projects that will identify health-related issues in First Nations communities.

Affiliated Research Institutes & Centres

Communities, Alliances and Networks (CAAN) Learn More

CAAN has over 2 decades of history as an incorporated non-profit organization whose mandate has evolved from a primary HIV and AIDS focus to include STBBI’s, Hepatitis C, Tuberculosis, Harm Reduction, Mental Health, and Aging.

Aboriginal HIV and AIDS Community-Based Research Collaborative Centre Learn More

The AHA Centre builds capacity in and supports culturally-responsive community-based HIV and determinants of health research through meaningful engagement with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples living with HIV, communities, researchers and policy makers while utilizing knowledge translation to inform evidence-driven action.