Current Projects
Archipelagos of Indigenous-led Resurgence for Planetary Health
The health of our planet, all Peoples, and all living entities is in crisis. The drivers of this crisis are colonization, capitalism, extractivism, globalization, and racism, underpinned by concomitant policies, systems, and structures that reinforce this worldview. If we want collective futures that sustain all planetary life, we must respond with urgency and creativity across political and epistemic boundaries toward reconciling the damage we have done to the planet’s health, our health, and the health of all our relations.
The aim of our Indigenous-led health project is to develop globally impactful research that demonstrates how place-based evidence for Indigenous-led resurgence for planetary health can be synergized across “Island” sites to create an “Archipelago” of transformative change. Our proof-of-concept approach is intended to support Indigenous resurgent practices focused on creating healthier lands and healthier people, by addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and food-water-energy insecurity.
Our goal is to develop globally impactful research that demonstrates how place-based Indigenous-led resurgence for planetary health can be synergized across “Island” sites to create an “Archipelago” of transformative change. To achieve this goal, we need long-term, large-scale external funding. We have recently received $125,000 from CIHR and SSHRC to support cluster meetings, four international symposiums, a new website and social media development, a new podcast series, and a major Team Gathering this summer to prepare for large-scale grant applications.
More details to come in Spring 2023!
Archipelagos Collective (Core Team):
Hōkūlani Aikau
Professor, Indigenous Governance, University of Victoria
Heather Castleden
Professor, Impact Chair in Transformative Governance for Planetary Health, University of Victoria
Jeff Ganohalidoh Corntassel
Associate Professor, Indigenous Studies, University of Victoria
Tatiana Degai
Assistant Professor, Anthropology, University of Victoria
Heather Igloliorte
Associate Professor, Tier 1 Research Chair in Circumpolar Indigenous Arts, Concordia University
Melissa Nelson
Professor, Sustainability and Innovation, Arizona State University
Carey Newman
Associate Professor, Impact Chair in Indigenous Art Practices, University of Victoria
Nicole Redvers
Associate Professor, Research Chair and Director of Indigenous Planetary Health, Western University
Deondre Smiles
Assistant Professor, Geography, University of Victoria
Heidi Kiiwetinepinesiik Stark
Associate Professor and Director of CIRCLE, University of Victoria
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