Project Summary
This Program is aimed at exploring the institution of Indigenous Aunties across the Arctic to understand how this unique intergenerational Indigenous practice has been and continues enhancing Indigenous research, learning, and teaching. In doing so we seek to understand how this practice can be applied to creating more welcoming and inclusive spaces within high-level academic fora such as IASSA and IASC. The main activities of the project will take place between 2026 and 2027. Several virtual gatherings will bring together Indigenous early-career scholars, Aunties, and Uncles to discuss and refine this mentorship approach. Based on the dialogue, we will develop a guidebook to support early-career Indigenous scholars’ engagement within IASSA. In addition, we will host a talking circle during ASSW 2027 to introduce the Indigenous Aunties mentorship model, as well as an in-person gathering of early-career Indigenous scholars, Aunties, and Uncles during ICASS XII to pilot and evaluate the approach within the IASSA community. An early-career mentorship program led by Indigenous Aunties will create a foundation for expanding academic spaces and therefore deepening conversations around human well-being in the Arctic.
Date and Location:
Multiple, including ASSW 2027 and ICASS XII
IASC Working Groups funding the Project:
Project Lead
Tatiana Degai (University of Victoria, Canada)
Year funded by IASC
2026
Project Status
Upcoming