Environmental research and conservation are essential components of protecting and preserving Canada's unique landscape. Research must be centred on a holistic approach based on Indigenous and Western ways of knowing. Environmental research needs to be focused on building partnerships between Indigenous organizations and communities, universities, governments, businesses, and non-profit sectors, who are all committed to advancing inclusive and respectful knowledge.
I am working on the Braiding United Nations Global Agendas project with MABRRI. This project is currently working with the Canadian Mountain Network (CMN) to highlight the importance of collaboration between Indigenous and Western knowledge systems. Braiding these knowledge systems together acts as a critical step in working towards the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Braiding United Nations Global Agendas will expand upon this by promoting the importance of braiding knowledge, advancing the SDGs, and emphasizing an UNDRIP-aligned approach. The outcome of this project intends to inform the Government of Canada of the essential work of the CMN, highlighting the Network's approach to paving a path to a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Since September 2021, it has been a joy working as a Research Assistant on this project. This opportunity has allowed me to immerse myself in the various components of the UN SDGs, UNDRIP, braiding knowledge, various policies implemented by the Government of Canada, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada's Calls to Action. This experience has allowed me to learn and connect vital and complicated topics, displaying how it has been applied throughout Canada and in projects completed by the CMN.
My tasks as a Research Assistant have included reviewing literature, formulating sources, writing literature reviews and annotated bibliographies, writing interview questions, and assisting in leading interviews for data collection. The following steps in the project are to finalize interviews with all CMN researchers and knowledge holders, analyze the data, and write up a final report. The findings from this project will display the important work that CMN is doing regarding SDGs, UNDRIP, and braiding knowledge. It is intended that these findings will influence the Government of Canada to help advance and support the work on these extremely important topics.