In February 2026, the Centre for Learning Futures will launch the Indigenous Scholars Webinar Series.
Throughout the series, researchers will share their insights into the importance of studies led by Indigenous scholars, advice to support Indigenous students in bringing their unique perspectives into their work and highlights from their own careers in research and academia.
These events are open to everyone.
A Pep Talk for Indigenous Graduate Students With Dr. Shawn Wilson (he/him/his)
In this talk, Wilson will offer insights from his nearly 60 years of experience as an Indigenous researcher. Hopefully, you will begin to recognize how you are, or can become, what he calls, “Indigenous plus” as a scholar-practitioner.
Dr. Shawn Wilson is from the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in northern Canada and lives on Syilx territory in Kelowna, B.C. He is an associate professor of Indigenous studies and co-ordinates the Indigenous knowledges theme at the University of British Columbia.
Shawn has worked with Indigenous people worldwide and co-leads a research project aiming to define rules and guidelines for respecting and safeguarding sacred teachings, such as Ceremonial and Star Knowledge. He has spent time living, teaching and researching across Canada, the US, Australia and Norway, along with supervising research projects in Bangladesh, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
Shawn is the author of Research is Ceremony, which has sold out multiple printings. He is on the board of directors of the Tapestry Institute and has joined the newly established advisory group at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. Shawn has presented at Goals House (Davos) as part of the World Economic Forum and the MIR Centre for Peace. He cites his three kids as his greatest achievement, pride and joy.
Shawn Wilson (he/him) BSc (University of Manitoba), MA (University of Alaska), PhD (Monash University).
What is three-eyed seeing? Why is it significant? With Dr. Myrle Ballard (she/her/hers)
Feb. 27, 2026, at 11 a.m. on Microsoft Teams
This talk will centre on Ballard’s three-eyed seeing framework, which explores how we can understand the importance of braiding and weaving Indigenous science, western science and Our Relations for better conservation and management practices.
This talk will give an overview of Indigenous laws and their application toward a holistic understanding of Our Relations. We will examine the implications of policies if the voices of Our Relations are not included.
Dr. Myrle Ballard is Anishinaabe, Canada Research Chair Tier II (Indigenous Science and Sustainability Science) and associate professor in the department of earth, energy and environment, at the University of Calgary.
She coined and developed the three-eyed seeing framework and its importance in conservation practices. Her research includes the use of Anishinaabemowin and how it can be used for baseline iData used for biomonitoring and identifying indicators to transform approaches to land and water resource management.
Ballard has also researched and documented the forced displacement and relocation of communities from flooding and has researched climate change and weather. Additionally, she is a videographer and has documented the stories and events of the 2011 super flood of Lake St. Martin First Nation.
She was recently selected as lead author on Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) AR7 WG III Chapter 4 Sustainable Development and Mitigation. She was appointed as a scoping expert for the second Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) global assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem services; and an expert for the IPBES task force on Indigenous and local knowledge.
In November 2025, Ballard was inducted into the Royal Society of Canada. She has been invited to do numerous keynote talks, with the most recent one being from the University of Cambridge in January and May 2026.
Bringing Wapanaki Tplutaqan/Tpaskuwakon (Wabanaki Laws) into UNB
With Tuma Young, IPC, KC
March 5, 2026 at 1 p.m. on Microsoft Teams
This talk will explore questions such as, what is Wapanaki Tplutaqan/Tpaskuwakon? Where is it found? How is it expressed and how can it be used to meet the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s/Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls’ calls to action/justice in academia? Tuma Young will focus on the Wapanaki worldview expressions, how to recognize Wapanaki Tplutaqan/Tpaskuwakon and how to use it in contemporary situations.
Tuma Young, IPC, KC, is a L’nu (Mi’kmaq) from Malagawatch reserve and his band is Eskasoni First Nation. Tuma was born into the Attu’wej (Squirrel) clan for the Aplikjumuj (Rabbit) clan. Tuma resides in Sydney River with his husband, Nicolaas Honig and he teaches L’nu (Mi’kmaq) Studies at Cape Breton University.
Tuma is the first L’nuwisit (fluent Mi’kmaq speaking) lawyer called to the bar in Nova Scotia (2001) and was the President of the Nova Scotia Barristers Society for 2021-22, becoming the first Indigenous person to be a president of a law society in Canada.
Tuma’s legal focus is on the restoration of L’nuwey & Wabanaki Laws. Thus, much of his current legal work is focused on bringing Wabanaki Laws and worldviews to our clients’ needs in child & family services, health, governance and adjudication.
Tuma has significant experience in Aboriginal law, which is Canadian Law as it applies to Indigenous folks. Tuma’s Aboriginal legal work experience has been in negotiations, governance, health, education, social, fisheries, Aboriginal and treaty rights, taxation, justice, regulatory bodies and adjudication.
Multigenerational Trauma and Cultural Resilience: Indigenous Pathways to Health and Wellness With Dr. Amy Bombay and Dr. Billie Jo Hardy
March 11, 2026 at 2 p.m. on Microsoft Teams
Dr. Amy Bombay and Dr. Billie Jo Hardy will present their collaborative work advancing capacity for First Nations–led biological health research grounded in Indigenous sovereignty, community priorities and relational accountability.
Dr. Bombay is an interdisciplinary Anishinaabe kwe scholar whose research examines the intergenerational impacts of colonial systems on Indigenous health. Her work integrates epidemiology and community-engaged approaches to document how structural conditions shape well-being and how cultural identity and engagement function as resilience pathways.
Dr. Hardy’s work centres on Indigenous data governance, community-driven research design and strengthening First Nations leadership in biological and health sciences research. Together, Bombay and Hardy are advancing initiatives that build infrastructure, partnerships and training pathways to support First Nations communities in directing, governing, and benefiting from biological health research. Their collaboration challenges extractive research models by prioritizing Indigenous leadership, ethical biological data stewardship and sustainable community capacity.
In this webinar, they will reflect on the development of their partnership and the structural, ethical, and relational commitments required to advance First Nations–led biological health research. They will discuss how research questions, governance frameworks, and methodologies can be reshaped to centre Indigenous epistemologies while strengthening collective healing, sovereignty and scientific self-determination.
Dr. Amy Bombay is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at Carleton University and a Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Multigenerational Trauma and Resilience in First Nations Peoples. She is Anishinaabe kwe from Rainy River First Nations. Her research examines associations between multigenerational trauma, contemporary stressor exposure and cultural identity and engagement in predicting health and wellness among First Nations populations. Her work integrates quantitative, mixed-methods, and community-based approaches to understand both risk pathways and resilience processes. Her scholarship has informed national inquiries, policy development and legal proceedings related to Indigenous health and reconciliation in Canada.
Dr. Billie Jo Hardy is an assistant professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health where she works in partnership with Indigenous organizations and communities across several health research projects. Her research interests include Indigenous and global public health research and implementation, innovation sciences, health equity and research ethics. Dr. Hardy is a leader in advancing Indigenous data governance and First Nations–directed biological health research. Her work focuses on strengthening community capacity, ethical stewardship of biological data and the development of Indigenous-led research infrastructure that supports health equity and sovereignty. Through collaborative partnerships and community-driven initiatives, she works to ensure that biological health research is conducted in ways that uphold First Nations authority, cultural protocols and long-term community benefit.
March 24, 2026 from 10 to 11 a.m.
Fredericton Inn, 1315 Regent Street, Salon A
Fredericton, NB E3C 1A1
With this talk, Dr. Dwayne Donald will discuss the ongoing presence of colonial forms of relationship denial within institutional practices and share insights on how wisdom teachings of relational renewal can help people unlearn colonial culture.
Dr. Dwayne Donald is a descendent of amiskwaciw nehiyaw (Beaver Hills Cree), Metis, and Norwegian ancestors. He works as a professor in the faculty of education at the University of Alberta. He is also a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in reimagining teacher education with Indigenous wisdom traditions.
March 24, 2026 from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
Marshall d’Avray Hall, 10 McKay Drive, Room 334-1
Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3
This follow-up session offers UNB educators an open, supportive space to continue the conversation sparked in the public talk, Unlearning Colonialism through the Wisdom of Relational Renewal. In this interactive circle, participants will have the opportunity to engage directly with Dr. Dwayne Donald though an extended question-and-answer dialogue. Educators are encouraged to bring reflections, curiosities and examples from their teaching as we deepen our shared understanding of what unlearning colonialism can look like in practice.
Dr. Dwayne Donald is a descendent of amiskwaciw nehiyaw (Beaver Hills Cree), Metis, and Norwegian ancestors. He works as a professor in the faculty of education at the University of Alberta. He is also a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in reimagining teacher education with Indigenous wisdom traditions.
March 25, 2026 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Marshall d’Avray Hall, 10 McKay Drive, Room 334-1
Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3
This open conversation invites graduate students into a circle of shared learning, reflection and curiosity. Guided by Dr. Dwayne Donald, rather than a formal presentation this gathering is shaped by the interests, questions and lived experiences of those who attend. Donald will offer a brief introduction to set the context, and then the circle will unfold naturally, allowing students to follow the threads that matter most to them. All graduate students and anyone who feels drawn to this space are welcome.
Dr. Dwayne Donald is a descendent of amiskwaciw nehiyaw (Beaver Hills Cree), Metis, and Norwegian ancestors. He works as a professor in the faculty of education at the University of Alberta. He is also a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in reimagining teacher education with Indigenous wisdom traditions.
