McMaster Indigenous Research Institute

06/04/2026

Congratulations to our Indigenous grads. We are so proud of you!

05/28/2026

https://news.mcmaster.ca/placing-indigenous-ways-of-knowing-at-the-centre-of-learning/

Indigenous leaders, scholars, and community members discussed changes in higher education since the release of the TRC’s final report.

05/25/2026

Today we celebrate and honour Justice Ryan on her acceptance into TMU’s School of Medicine — a huge achievement and a reflection of the strength, heart, and dedication she carries with her every day!

During her years at McMaster University, Justice gave so much back to community. Whether in her role as an executive member of the Indigenous Health Movement () or working at Indigenous Student Services () as a work-study student, Justice advocated for Indigenous student voices and championed reciprocity. Justice advocated for, and founded the Beading Group at ISS, creating more than just a space to bead — she created a space of belonging, laughter, teachings, and connection. With patience and kindness, she welcomed everyone who wanted to learn, helping others reconnect with culture and community in meaningful ways.

Justice connected with MIRI as an IndigiNerd Research Internship student (2023) where her tenacity, thoughtfulness, and leadership made her a great candidate to join the MIRI team. After graduating with an Honours degree in Anthropology and a minor in Indigenous Studies, Justice joined the MIRI team as staff, holding a Junior Researcher/ IndigiNerd Program Coordinator position at MIRI. As a student and as staff she has continued to be a mentor to her peers and mentees, she continues to carry herself with humility, intelligence, and a deep commitment to uplifting Indigenous voices and creating space for future generations.

We are so incredibly proud to see an Indigenous woman step into medicine while carrying her community, culture, and teachings with her. We know she will continue to inspire, lead, and make a difference wherever this journey takes her.

Congratulations, Justice — your community is cheering you on every step of the way. We cannot wait to see all the amazing things you will accomplish!

We will miss you!

05/20/2026

Huge congratulations to all the recipients of the President’s Award for Outstanding Service!

A special shout out to Maddy Lutes, IndigiNerd Alumni, and Luken Lawson, former MIRI work-study student, who were recognized as part of the Indigenous Marauder Identity Team!

We are beyond proud of you both and so excited to see your incredible contributions being celebrated.

05/05/2026

Join us for the Tek STEM Lunch & Learn Lecture on May 13, 2026, featuring Chief Arvol Looking Horse and Dr. Robert Cockcroft, as they explore the fascinating world of Astronomy and the Celestial Calendar.

https://www.snpolytechnic.com/event/astronomycelestial-calendar-tek-stem-lunch-learn-six-nations-campus

04/28/2026

‼️ New Walls 2 Bridges Course This Fall‼️

COMM 3EM3: Entrepreneurship and Marginalized Communities

Inside a correctional facility, the Walls to Bridges (W2B) course brings McMaster students and incarcerated students together as equals—learning, debating, and building ideas side by side. This for-credit course will focus on entrepreneurship, collaboration, and social impact.

Please direct questions to :
Trish Ruebottom, Professor, DeGroote School of Business McMaster University: [email protected]

04/24/2026

Exciting news!!!
Deyohahá:ge: Sharing the River of Life has been shortlisted for the Canada Prizes, awarded by the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences.

Congratulations to editors Daniel Coleman, Ki’en Debicki, and Bonnie M. Freeman on this well-deserved recognition!

04/22/2026

Earth Day isn’t just a date on the calendar, it’s a daily responsibility 🌎

For Indigenous Peoples around the world the land is not a resource to be used but a relative to be respected. The waters are not commodities but life itself. These relationships are rooted in generations of knowledge care and reciprocity.

Every day is Earth Day when we remember that what we take we must also protect. What we touch we must honour.
What we inherit we must preserve.

To read about local initiatives, check out Dr. Adrienne Xavier and Dr. Dawn Martin-Hill's recent publication: Haudenosaunee and Traditional Ecological Knowledge Education for Sustainable Food Systems: Land-Based Educational Pathways at Six Nations of the Grand River.

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-food-systems/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1705336/full

04/21/2026

MIRI and the Office of Community Engagement were proud to spend the morning with Nature @ McMaster in celebration of Earth Week 🌎

Surrounded by the beauty of Cootes Paradise, we took part in a guided nature walk that highlighted the incredible biodiversity right here in Hamilton—from native plants and towering trees to birds and other wildlife that thrive in this unique ecosystem.

Experiences like this are a powerful reminder of why environmental stewardship matters, and how important it is to stay connected to the natural spaces around us.

A big thank you to Nature at McMaster for an informative and inspiring morning. We encourage others to join one of their guided walks and experience it firsthand 🌿

04/07/2026

Good Luck In Your Exams!

You Got This!!