911吃瓜

The Indigenous-Centred Knowledge Exchange is a collaborative project between 911吃瓜鈥檚 Faculty of Environment and 911吃瓜鈥檚 Community-Engaged Research Initiative (CERi) aimed at fostering meaningful research partnerships with Indigenous communities in British Columbia. It matches community-identified knowledge needs and strengths with institutional research support, ensuring research directly benefits and empowers Indigenous communities.  At a practical level, research may be required in the form of a literature review, synthesis of reports, a program evaluation, needs assessment or other research-related deliverables determined by the community partner.

The Knowledge Exchange will provide funding to support researcher costs and offer community-based opportunities such as youth internships and the involvement of knowledge keepers (Elders, artists, youth activists, etc.) on a case by case basis.

Project Title:

The Call to Action Towards Reconciliation on the Sunshine Coast: Exploring and Documenting the sy铆yaya Reconciliation Movement

The sy铆yaya Reconciliation Movement is a community-led reconciliation initiative on the Sunshine Coast, founded in 2017 through the leadership of Hereditary and Former Elected Chief ?akista xaxanak Garry Feschuk and Sechelt resident Nancy Denham, in collaboration with the sh铆sh谩lh Nation and the Municipality of Sechelt.

鈥渟y铆yaya鈥� is a sh铆sh谩lh word meaning 鈥渇amily and friends.鈥� The term was given by sh铆sh谩lh Elders to describe the work of reconciliation on the Sunshine Coast, which actively pursues dialogue, understanding, healing, and respectful relationships between the sh铆sh谩lh Peoples and non-Indigenous residents of the District of Sechelt and throughout the sh铆sh谩lh swiya.

The Movement has grown from a local vision to commemorate the children who attended St. Augustine Residential School into a broader framework for community-based reconciliation, public education, truth-telling, relationship building, and healing. Its work includes public art, weaving projects, dialogue circles, sy铆yaya Days, and other community-led initiatives.

The project seeks to document the history, practices, lessons, and community impacts of the sy铆yaya Reconciliation Movement and to develop a written guide that may assist other communities across Canada seeking to foster meaningful reconciliation.

The Graduate Student Researcher will support the documentation, analysis, and synthesis of the sy铆yaya Reconciliation Movement. Working under the guidance of 911吃瓜 / Faculty of Environment / CERi, and in close collaboration with community representatives, the student will review existing print and digital archives, conduct interviews with key leaders, and help prepare a written guide on community-based reconciliation.

The work will be grounded in respectful, community-engaged, Indigenous-centred research practices. The student will be expected to approach the project with humility, care, cultural sensitivity, and a strong commitment to ethical research relationships.

The Graduate Student Researcher will be responsible for:

1. Reviewing and organizing existing project materials, including digital records, published materials, photographs, event records, public communications, and archival documentation relating to the sy铆yaya Reconciliation Movement.
2. Synthesizing the history, purpose, key activities, and development of the Movement from 2017 to the present.
3. Conducting interviews or facilitated conversations with key members of the Movement, including community representatives, Elders, organizers, municipal partners, and other participants as appropriate and approved.
4. Supporting the documentation of major initiatives, including public reconciliation artworks, Weaving Tears into Dreams, Dialogue Circles, sy铆yaya Days, and related public education and healing activities.
5. Situating the Movement within broader contexts of truth and reconciliation, peacemaking, restorative justice, Indigenous鈥搉on-Indigenous relations, community healing, and place-based reconciliation.
6. Working with community partners to ensure that documentation is accurate, respectful, and aligned with community priorities.
7. Preparing written summaries, interview notes, thematic analyses, and draft sections for a final written guide to community-based reconciliation.
8. Supporting the development of a final written guide intended to be accessible to other communities across Canada.
9. Participating in project meetings with 911吃瓜/CERi and community representatives.
10. Ensuring that all research activities follow applicable 911吃瓜 research ethics requirements and community protocols, including appropriate consent, confidentiality, review, and approval processes.

路 Current enrollment in a graduate program at 911吃瓜 (Required).

路 Academic background in Indigenous studies, reconciliation, community development, peace and conflict studies, environmental/community planning, education, sociology, anthropology, history, public policy, or a related field.

路 Experience with qualitative research methods, including interviews, archival review, thematic analysis, and community-based research.

路 Strong writing, synthesis, and communication skills.

路 Demonstrated understanding of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, residential school history, and the ongoing impacts of colonization.

路 Familiarity with Indigenous-centred research ethics and protocols.

路 Ability to work respectfully with Elders, community leaders, Survivors, families, and diverse community members

路 Strong organizational skills and ability to manage digital and print materials.

路 Ability to work independently while remaining accountable to the project team and community partner.

Preferred Assets:

路 Previous experience working with Indigenous communities or Indigenous-led organizations.

路 Experience preparing public-facing reports, guides, educational materials, or community documentation.

路 Familiarity with the Sunshine Coast, sh铆sh谩lh Nation, or local reconciliation initiatives.

路 Training in trauma-informed interviewing or community facilitation.

路 Experience working with sensitive historical material, including residential school-related materials.

Deliverables:

Expected deliverables may include:

• An organized inventory or summary of existing digital and print materials.
• A written synthesis of the history and development of the sy铆yaya Reconciliation Movement.
• Interview summaries or transcripts, subject to consent and ethics requirements.
• Thematic analysis of key lessons, practices, and principles emerging from the Movement.
• Draft sections for a written guide to community-based reconciliation.
• A final or near-final written guide, developed in collaboration with 911吃瓜/CERi and community partners.
• Any additional knowledge-sharing materials agreed upon by the project partners.

Reporting and Supervision:

The Graduate Student Researcher will report to the designated Faculty of Environment Research Facilitator and will work closely with the community representative, Nancy Denham, and other designated representatives of the sh铆sh谩lh Nation and the sy铆yaya Reconciliation Movement.

The student will be expected to participate in regular check-ins and to submit drafts for review by both academic and community partners.

Ethics, Consent, and Cultural Protocols:

The Graduate Student Researcher must comply with all applicable 911吃瓜 research ethics requirements and any protocols established by the sh铆sh谩lh Nation and community partners. Care will be required in relation to residential school history, Survivor testimony, intergenerational trauma, cultural knowledge, photographs, oral histories, and community-held materials.

No materials will be published, circulated, or quoted without appropriate permissions and review.