NIINWE GIINWA GDINIMIKAAGOM
(we greet you in a good way)

The University of Windsor, GLIER and the Healthy Headwaters Lab sit on the Traditional territory of 

the Three Fires confederacy of First Nations, comprised of the Ojibway, the Odawa, and the 

Potawatomi. We are committed to respectful, meaningful engagement and co-development with 

traditional ecological knowledge holders in all aspects of our research, teaching and communications. 

Nothing about us without us: Research in our lab involving traditional ecological knowledge is led, 

guided and co-produced by and with Indigenous scholars and communities in full acknowledgement 

and with gratitude. 

One of the main extensions of our lab is the Indigenous Knowledge Circle (IKC) which is funded by Dr. Febria's Canada Research Chair position and seeks to grow new networks, projects and grants.

We strongly believe that we must listen to and incorporate the knowledge of those who are most connected to the land and water in order to create meaningful solutions for the problems we are facing.

We aim to weave together our gifts, experiences, networks and resources to address common sustainability challenges through community-based solutions. The IKC seeks to build capacity in the next generation of Indigenous scientists. We are committed to ensuring that our research on territorial lands incorporates existing knowledge, is guided by local context, and creates new opportunities for emerging Indigenous leaders to be trained in freshwater restoration ecology.

In keeping with the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Universities Canada Principles of Indigenous Education, the University of Windsor has committed to building stronger, more meaningful partnerships with Indigenous students, scholars and communities. Indigenous peoples are historically underrepresented in higher education and the Healthy Headwaters Lab is committed to doing their part in closing that gap. The Indigenous Allyship Program was launched in 2019 and renamed Ode’imin Indigenous Knowledge Circle in 2021.

The Indigenous Knowledge Circle will create, promote and foster increased representation and training of Indigenous scholars in community-based freshwater research.

Desired Outcomes of the IKC:

• Elevate community-responsive and community-guided research through a decolonized process of kinship, relationship-based networks and shared values 

• Hire, recruit, train, support and amplify Indigenous scientists, community researchers, practitioners and knowledge keepers in freshwater restoration research 

• Strategically pursue grant and partnership opportunities to support Indigenous-led research topics and aligned programs  

• Co-create and co-lead the Traditional Ecological Knowledge Field Course bringing together Indigenous and Western science perspectives.  

• Produce and promote Indigenous-led resources, creative outputs, artwork and story-telling initiatives 

• Build upon existing networks of like- minded allies, strengthen and expand engagement and partnerships 

• Invest in the next generation of Indigenous leaders through mentorship, job creation, scholarship opportunities, community engagement, storytelling and more.