08/14/2026
McMaster University is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Renae Watchman and Dr. Jennifer Walker as Interim Co-Directors of the McMaster Indigenous Research Institute (MIRI).
Dr. Watchman is a professor in the Indigenous Studies department. A citizen of the Navajo Nation (Shiprock agency) in New Mexico, her research focuses on Indigenous literary and expressive arts, Diné analytics, and transnational collaborations. She currently serves as the Faculty of Social Sciences’ Scholar-in-Community.
Dr. Walker is a professor in the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact and holds the Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Health Data and Aging. A member of Six Nations of the Grand River, she is internationally recognized for her leadership on aging and dementia research as well as Indigenous data sovereignty and governance.
Together, Drs. Watchman and Walker bring complementary strengths and extensive experience in Indigenous research, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration, and will lead MIRI’s continued efforts to support Indigenous researchers, strengthen community partnerships, and advance Indigenous research excellence at McMaster.
Their one-year appointments run from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. They succeed Dr. Savage Bear, an assistant professor in the Department of Indigenous Studies, who recently concluded a five-year term as MIRI’s director.
