Research summary
It’s a little-known fact that Indigenous ironworkers played a significant role in building important infrastructure in North America over the past couple of centuries—from the Canadian Pacific Railway bridge near Montreal to iconic New York City skyscrapers, such as the Empire State and Chrysler buildings. Dr. Allan Downey, Canada Research Chair in Indigenous History, Self-Determination, and Nationhood, is establishing a digital archive and producing the first academic study of the history of Indigenous ironworkers.
Downey and his research team are exploring archival collections and Indigenous community-produced texts as well as conducting oral history research. Using a multi-disciplinary strategy that includes establishing a digital archive, public history series and scholarly production, they aim to increase awareness of Indigenous history along with Indigenous community capacities for research.