Research Department
The IFA Research Department supports the Organization’s mission in advocating for digital pathways while rooted in the tenet of self-determination to address the barriers experienced by the Indigenous youth from entering and transitioning towards sustainable careers in tech and innovation. We build an ecosystem that ushers Indigenous communities to participate in the digital future.
Since the department’s establishment in mid-2022, we have led meaningful engagements and have become Collaboratives in the following programs:
2) Eighth Fire Digital Youth Council- Resurgence within the Tech Industry with Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF)
The stages of this 5-year partnership will analyze system change which targets the essential barriers experienced by the Indigenous youth to enter, engage, and thrive in the tech labor market. The Dais (formerly the Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship) became a Collaborative to support the Department’s evaluation and application of a contemporary curriculum that centralizes Indigenous epistemologies and participant-specific learning objectives.
To read the full report, please visit: Digital Journeys: A Path Towards Digital Economic Empowerment for Indigenous Youths in Canada.
1) Towards Digital Sovereignty in Canada: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples (TDSC-UNDRIP) with Justice Canada
In response to the United Nations Declaration Act’s (UNDA) Royal Assent in June 2021, a partnership with the Department of Justice (JUS) was launched to engage communities in shaping federal legislation, with an emphasis on digital technology.
Click here to view the full report: Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan.
3) Mentorship Framework - Expansion Project with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
The Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Program, funded by ESDC, is designed to help Indigenous peoples advance their digital skills and find employment. The Research Department monitors progress toward project goals and identifies potential best practices and lessons learned for future program development.
4) Internet Decolonized - Chapter Publication
The Research Department has submitted a preliminary chapter abstract for a proposed edited volume project titled Internet Decolonized by our colleagues H. Zamurd-Butt and M.I. Franklin at the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen/University of Groningen.
For all inquiries please contact: research@indigenousfriends.org