Research summary
Historical knowledge helps us understand the world we live in by shedding light on our past. As Canada Research Chair in Indigenous People, History and Archives, Dr. Mary Jane McCallum aims to enable Indigenous Peoples to take on a central role in producing, preserving and using historical knowledge.
She and her research team are supporting the efforts of Indigenous scholars and communities to understand the past in ways that support Indigenous self-determination and reaffirm their relationships to the land, environment and other people. Their work will also inform Canadian institutions responsible for Indigenous historical preservation about topics related to Indigenous historical research. This will include ethics and research methods and their implications for Indigenous Peoples, communities and lands. Ultimately, McCallum’s work will augment and contribute to valuable, ongoing, large-scale historical projects, including the critically important findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.