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Mi’kmaq artist and scholar, Dr. Michelle Sylliboy’s thesis, , focused on revitalizing Mi’kmaq’s ancient hieroglyphic writing system, ���dz���ɱ���ɾ�’k���������. Sylliboy’s research is grounded in Indigenous worldviews and ways of knowing and spans Indigenous Studies, education, linguistics, history, and arts‑based inquiry.

Framing healing as an educative and creative process, Sylliboy’s thesis documents healing from impacts of colonialism, including residential schooling and has the potential to make an enormous contribution to Indigenous theory.

Sylliboy developed an original theory of ����’u���ٱ��, which is described as “living knowledge bundles” that can support healing in this ground-breaking and exemplary doctoral dissertation. Using community-engaged, creative inquiry, Sylliboy’s thesis explores multidimensional reality, past-present-future continuum, and dream reality, contributing to Indigenous education, intercultural education, arts-based education, and decolonial scholarship that is inspiring and mobilizing for other Indigenous scholars and artists.

As an active scholar, artist, performer and community advocate, Sylliboy has received many awards and accolades, including a SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship, Indigenous Voices Award (co-winner), Arts NS Indigenous Artist Recognition Award, was long‑listed for the Sobey Award, nominated for the Opera, You can die properly now for Montreal Symphony’s Creation of the Year and was also able to publish a first book called, Kiskajeyi – I AM READY.

Sylliboy is an instructor and guest lecturer in Indigenous art, pedagogy, and language, holds teaching roles in Indigenous pedagogy and Mi’kmaq language, is a visiting artist and speaker at universities, schools, and community institutions, and has served on academic hiring and bursary committees, and leads long‑standing community‑based workshops and educational outreach.

Heesoon Bai, Sylliboy’s academic supervisor sees the impact Sylliboy’s research and work not only has now, but will have in the future as well.

Says Bai, “What I am particularly impressed with and happy about is the fact that Michelle’s doctoral research at 911�Թ� has set Michelle up to further generate impactful future research for years and perhaps decades to come and has already influenced and mobilized so many Indigenous scholars, practitioners of community-engaged education, and artists in North America and overseas. Michelle’s doctoral work at 911�Թ� has clearly become a legacy for Mi’kmaq Nation as well as all Indigenous people in Canada and elsewhere.”

Sylliboy acknowledges those who provided their support.

Says Sylliboy, “Winning the Deans medal is an incredible honor. To be acknowledged for all your efforts is humbling. I am grateful to my supervisor, Heesoon Bai, Professor, Education; annie ross, Committee Member, Professor, Indigenous Studies; and, Natalia Gajdamaschko Committee Member, Teaching Professor, Education. Their gentle approach to education allowed me to explore and activate my people’s ancient written ��dz���ɱ���ɾ�’k��������� language.  I’m especially grateful to my elders and community of We’koqmaq for their unqwavering support.”

Sylliboy is starting a new position this fall and is completing a ��dz���ɱ���ɾ�’k��������� dictionary with Natoaganeg (Eel Ground) First Nation. Sylliboy’s thesis is also in the process of getting published.