The Fostering Indigenous-led Research (FILR) Convergence Working Group (CWG) is one of three Convergence Working Groups that the NNA-CO has supported. Each group had experienced co-leads as well as early career co-leads. The FILR group focused on what Indigenous-led research is now, what it can look like, and next steps to creating research that is Indigenous-led. One of the final products of the FILR CWG is this podcast mini-series. The episodes are hosted by a different co-lead of the FILR CWG. Each co-lead host chose a specific topic that relates to FILR to explore with selected guests. Tune in to this special mini-series that dives into what Indigenous-led Research is and can be.

This episode is hosted by Dr. Dylan Blaskey, with guests Henry P. Huntington and Louise Mercer. They are non-Indigenous and offer insight through their experiences working with Indigenous Arctic peoples. Tune in to hear nuggets of wisdom, practical advice, and their take on what it means to Foster Indigenous-led Research.

Check out the show notes for resources shared by the guests!

Episode 7 features the early career co-leads of the NNA-CO Fostering Indigenous-led Research Convergence Working Group. Dr. Margaret Rudolf, Dr. Dylan Blaskey, Dr. Stanislav Ksenofontov, and glaciologist and PhD student Aurora Roth share about their career paths and how they bring their whole selves into their work.

Fostering Indigenous-led Research continues and grows with students and early-career professionals as they continue and add to the momentum of co-production and convergence research that is beneficial to Arctic communities, their respective institutions, as well as the world at large. Learning from their peers, mentors, and experiences, they are more equipped to build and maintain relationships with communities and make lasting and reciprocal connections.

For more information and links to resources, check out the show notes for this episode!

Convergence research engages with vexing and complex research challenges that are pivotal for addressing societal needs. It is a major focus for the Navigating the New Arctic (NNA) program and the NNA Community Office. The NNA-CO’s Convergence Working Groups (CWGs) bring together diverse experts and perspectives that engage with the Arctic to work together towards newly formed and shared goals. There are 3 CWGs supported by the NNA-CO: Fostering Indigenous-led Research CWG, Infrastructure Futures CWG, and Arctic Observing Systems and Technology CWG.

Episode 6 features the Fostering Indigenous-led Research CWG Experienced Co-leads Mary Beth Jäger and Heather Jean Sauyaq Kwamboka Gordon, who share their insights to the group, what it means to foster Indigenous-led research, and how this benefits not only the group members and researchers, but Arctic communities and peoples.

Join us for part 2, where we dive deeper with guests Mary Beth Jäger and Heather Jean Sauyaq Kwamboka Gordon on the topic of Fostering (or Amplifying) Indigenous-led Research. They share insights and their thoughts on how to move forward with Fostering Indigenous-led Research.

Check out the show notes for resources and information about Mary Beth and Heather!