On July 9, 2020, the Board of Regents approved the Research Impacting Indigenous Groups (RIIG) policy for Memorial University. Thank you to everyone involved in its creation and success!

The policy is available here and procedure is available here.

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There are two committees intended to support the RIIG policy’s implementation in terms of providing guidance and insight in relation to Indigenous research. They are:

• Committee on Ethical Research Impacting Indigenous Groups (CERIIG): When there is no other Indigenous group to review research to provide Agreement in Principle (Concept Development Phase), this group of Indigenous experts in research relations ensures projects are in line with best practices and principles in Indigenous research, including TCPS2 Chapter 9. Its approval serves as Agreement in Principle (CDP). This group does not and cannot represent Indigenous groups outside of the Memorial community in these duties. Please submit any inquires to CERIIG by contacting Indigenousresearch@mun.ca. Terms of Reference for CERIIG are available here. 
  
  
• Peer Advisory Group on Indigenous Research Relationships (PAIRR): An advisory group that fields questions, provides guidance and expertise, and makes recommendations to Memorial researchers engaging in Indigenous Research. Please submit any inquires to PAIRR by contacting Indigenousresearch@mun.ca. Terms of Reference for PAIRR are available here.

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To ensure that researchers and research staff are fully supported as this policy rolls out, the Office of the Vice-President (Research) is completing infrastructure, training materials (including training sessions for staff and researchers), and support systems. Updates and support materials will be available here as they become available.

If you have questions, please direct them to IndigenousResearch@mun.ca.

The Research Impacting Indigenous Groups policy was drafted by a working group of three people recommended by the President’s Advisory Committee on Indigenous Affairs: Dr. Max Liboiron (Michif), Associate Vice-President (Indigenous Research) in St. John’s; Kelly Anne Butler (Mi’kmaw), Student Affairs Officer-Aboriginal Affairs at Grenfell Campus; and Michele Wood (Inuk), community member in Labrador.

Its draft was based on extensive consultations conducted in 2018 and 2019. This committee reports to the President’s Advisory Committee on Indigenous Affairs and is following Memorial’s policy procedures. 

The policy was endorsed by Senate on June 9, 2020. It was approved by the Board of Regents on July 9, 2020. To learn more, please read this Gazette news story. 

At its May 31, 2022, meeting, the President’s Advisory Team (PAT) approved a two-phased consultation plan to review the Research Impacting Indigenous Groups (RIIG) Policy with internal and external stakeholders. To learn more, please read this Gazette news story.