Rethinking natural science research with respect, recognition, understanding and collaboration.
Towards Reconciliation
In 2020, a group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars wrote a paper outlining 10 calls to action for natural scientists. The paper was founded in frustration, friendship and hope. The calls are meant to help researchers move toward reconciliation.
The companion documentary, Signal Fire, and resources provided on this website are an offering — and a call to action — for research scientists, institutions, funders and journal publications to work towards improving how we all conduct, communicate and benefit from science research.
Like a signal fire, it is a call to action — and also a beacon to show the way.
Scientists share in Canadians’ collective responsibility to feed the fires of reconciliation — to shift the power balance and meet the needs of Indigenous peoples and communities.
The 10 calls to action outlined in the research paper translate the recommendations of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission into concrete actions and approaches scientists can take on an institutional and individual level.
10 Calls to Action to Natural Scientists Working in Canada
By Carmen Wong, Kate Ballegooyen, Lawrence Ignace, Gùdia (Mary Jane) Johnson and Heidi Swanson
Click on any call for more contextCall 1 | Understand the socio-political landscape around your research sites.
Call 2 | Recognize that generating knowledge about the land is a goal shared with Indigenous peoples and to seek meaningful relationships and possible collaboration for better outcomes for all involved.
Call 3 | Enable knowledge sharing and knowledge co-production.
Call 4 | Seek out advice from Elders for respectful ways of handling animals.
Call 5 | Provide meaningful opportunities for Indigenous community members, particularly youth, to experience and participate in science.
Call 6 | To decolonize the landscape, incorporate Indigenous place names as permitted.
Call 7 | Educate yourself on Indigenous history and rights.
Call 8 | Funding bodies: Change your approaches to funding.
Call 9 | Scientific journals: Recognize that publication of research on Indigenous Knowledge and cultural resources require review and permission from the respective Indigenous communities.
Call 10 | Natural scientists and post-secondary research institutions: develop a new vision for conducting natural science: fundamentally mainstreaming reconciliation in all aspects of the scientific endeavour, from formulation to completion.
Signal Fire Documentary
Filmed on locations across Canada including Indigenous communities, research sites and universities, Signal Fire is a 30-minute documentary that features stories from the authors and their colleagues — Indigenous and non-Indigenous — and lights the way for researchers and communities looking to ignite change.
Spotlight
Learn more about the projects featured in Signal Fire that are examples of efforts to embrace the spirit and practice of the 10 Calls to Action.
Reconciliation is about establishing and maintaining a mutually respectful relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in the country.
In order for that to happen, there has to be awareness of the past, acknowledgement of the harm that has been inflicted, atonement for the causes, and action to change behaviour.”
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of CanadA