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Truth and Reconciliation Network Coordination Hub

Two people sit at a desk, looking at a computer.
Bundles of Indigenous medicines hang to dry.
Two men play frame drums in a lodge.

Overview

The Truth and Reconciliation Network is a partnership between the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). It was created to support the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s (TRC) Call to Action 65, which calls for the establishment of a national research program to advance the collective understanding of reconciliation.

Call to Action #65: “We call upon the federal government, through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, post-secondary institutions and educators, and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and its partner institutions, to establish a national research program with multi-year funding to advance understanding of reconciliation.”

The NCTR hosts the Truth and Reconciliation Network’s Coordination Hub. This hub coordinates the six research projects that make up the Truth and Reconciliation Network.

The focus of the research projects range from amplifying Indigenous stories to locating and commemorating residential school burial landscapes. These projects play a crucial role in advancing Indigenous research, research training, and knowledge mobilization in the social sciences and humanities.

The projects are located across Canada with representation from different Indigenous nations, from coast to coast to coast. They are led by Indigenous project directors, with Indigenous communities and organizations as partners.

The knowledge gathered and shared by the projects will be connected directly to communities and will share materials that will be accessible to everyone.

Background

Call to Action 65, one of the 94 recommendations issued by TRC, is intended to further the goals of truth and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples across Canada.

Over several years, SSHRC and the NCTR met for special gatherings at Turtle Lodge and collaborated with Elders and Knowledge Keepers to develop a framework for fulfilling Call to Action 65.

In November of 2022, SSHRC and the NCTR issued a call for proposals inviting Indigenous scholars and community collaborators to submit project applications for the nation-wide Truth and Reconciliation Research Network. In spring 2024, six projects were selected to form the Truth and Reconciliation Network.

Research Projects

Project Title:
Biskaabiiyaang: Creating a path towards Healing and Reconciliation through an Indigenous metaverse
Primary Investigator:
Maya Chacaby- Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek First Nation, Red Rock Indian Band
Project Title:
Bringing the Children Home: Advancing Technology and Capacity for Locating and Commemorating Residential School Burial Landscapes
Primary Investigator:
Kisha Supernant- Metis, Papschase
Project Title:
“We’re Still Here”: Amplifying Urban Indigenous Stories in Saskatoon, Prince Albert, and St. John’s through Indigenous-led Partnerships
Primary Investigator:
Kristina Bidwell -Southern Inuit of Labrador
Project Title:
Gi-inwewin Gi-naazikaanag / The Returning to our Languages Project
Primary Investigator:
Danielle Boissoneau – Anishinaabe kwe, Garden River First Nation
Project Title:
Developing and Implementing Indigenized Wildfire Recovery Processes for Ecological and Food Systems Reconciliation on St’at’imc Territory
Primary Investigator:
Jennifer Grenz – nɬeʔképmx, Lytton First Nation
Project Title:
Re-Neighbouring as Reconciliation: Indigenous Stories of Resistance
Primary Investigator:
Vanessa Watts – Mohawk and Anishinaabe Bear Clan, Six Nations of the Grand River

For more details on these research projects, please visit the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council website.

Partners

Truth and Reconciliation Network Coordination Hub

  • Canadian Museum of Human Rights – Felix Berry
  • Centre for Human Rights Research – Adele Perry
  • Legacy of Hope Foundation – Teresa Edwards
  • Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre – Krista McCracken
  • National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth and Justice – Andrew Gunstone
  • Australians for Native Title & Reconciliation (ANTar) – Uncle Des Rogers
  • Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre- Kristin Kozar

Project Community Partners

FAQ

We welcome Indigenous-led organizations, educational institutions, Knowledge Keepers, and others passionate about truth and reconciliation research to join our network!

Our partners contribute in diverse ways, from offering expertise and resources to sharing knowledge and amplifying the impact of our work. Together, we’re fostering a national and international conversation on truth and reconciliation.

If you’re interested in being a partner, please reach out to us at reconciliation.network@umanitoba.ca

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) is the federal research funding agency that promotes and supports research and research training in the humanities and social sciences.

Reconciliation Research is research that is conducted towards a topic or call to action that is done to further develop relationships and systems of reconciliation. For example, language revitalization, food systems, health and wellness practices, histories, art, etc.

Reconciliation research is aimed at fostering understanding, healing, and justice between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. It explores a wide range of topics, such as language revitalization, food systems, health and wellness practices, histories, art, etc. By examining these issues through an Indigenous lens, reconciliation research contributes to building a more equitable and just society for all.

Additional Questions?

Contact us at reconciliation.network@umanitoba.ca

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NCTR’s spirit name – bezhig miigwan, meaning “one feather”.

Bezhig miigwan calls upon us to see each Survivor coming to the NCTR as a single eagle feather and to show those Survivors the same respect and attention an eagle feather deserves. It also teaches we are all in this together — we are all one, connected, and it is vital to work together to achieve reconciliation.