We want to hear from you: Get involved in research-related Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism consultations

Apr 19th, 2024

By Jeff Green

Students, researchers and staff are invited to attend one of a series of research-related consultations focused on Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism (EDI-AR) specifically related to the Qanittaq Clean Arctic Shipping Initiative.

The initiative received a landmark investment of $91.6 million thanks to funding from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF), a tri-agency initiative of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

Co-led and co-developed by the Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada and Memorial University, with the University of Ottawa as the institutional partner, the Qanittaq Initiative is a global partnership to address and respond to the increase in Arctic shipping, the related environmental impacts affecting Arctic communities and to support Inuit communities’ needs for safe and cost-efficient resupply.  

Inuit communities and leaders will partner with national and international academic institutions, government and industry to develop robust and innovative ship design and operation technologies, surrounding policy and governance, and capacity in communities to participate and lead in the future of Arctic shipping.

The initiative has the shared objective of creating an inclusive and internationally relevant, Inuit-driven research project.

The goals of the Qanittaq Clean Arctic Shipping Initiative are as follows:

  • Build a knowledge base to address Inuit shipping priorities, promote the safety of ships operating in the Arctic and protect those environments;
  • Create the tools and solutions needed to improve the affordability, sustainability and efficiency of the Arctic fleet; and,
  • Deliver the evidence necessary to effect national and international policy change for ships operating in the Arctic.

EDI is a core principle of the CFREF program and all funded initiatives are required to develop leading-edge EDI Action Plans. However, as the Qanittaq Initiative is a game-changing Inuit-academic partnership, this plan will focus on Reconciliation and EDI-AR. 

Dr. Paul Banahene Adjei, associate vice-president (Indigenous research), is hosting virtual sessions to receive input from members of the university on the development of a Reconciliation and EDI-AR Action Plan for the Qanittaq Initiative.

Twelve sessions will take place between April 29-May 3.

The schedule for all sessions is below.

If you are interested in attending one of these sessions, please email avp.research@mun.ca for access to login instructions.

Consultations for students 

Group Date/Time Location
Racialized Individuals Monday, April 29, 10-11 a.m. WebEx
African, Caribbean and Black individuals Monday, April 29, 2:30-3:30 p.m. WebEx

Indigenous Peoples

Tuesday, April 30, 2:30-3:30 p.m. WebEx

Persons with disabilities/disabled people

Wednesday, May 1, 11 a.m.-noon WebEx

Women

Thursday, May 2, 9:30-10:30 a.m. WebEx

2SLGBTQIA+

Thursday, May 2, 2-3 p.m. WebEx

Consultations for researchers and staff

Group Date/Time Location
Racialized Individuals Monday, April 2911:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. WebEx 
African, Caribbean and Black individuals Tuesday, April 3011 a.m.-noon WebEx 

Indigenous Peoples

Wednesday, May 19:30-10:30 a.m. WebEx 

Persons with disabilities/disabled people

Wednesday, May 1, 1-2p.m. WebEx 

Women

Thursday, May 2, 11 a.m.-noon WebEx 

2SLGBTQIA+

Friday, May 3, 9:30-10:30 a.m.  WebEx