McMaster Indigenous Research Institute

https://news.mcmaster.ca/mcmaster-to-host-national-building-reconciliation-forum-2027/

McMaster to host National Building Reconciliation Forum 2027 National gathering will bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, faculty, staff, community members and post-secondary leaders.

The portable planetarium recently made its way to Mattagami First Nation!
Rob Cockcroft, Director of the William J. McCallion Planetarium at McMaster University, and Jason Michaud of Stardust Inc., were joined by McMaster Indigenous Studies Master's students Stone Rivers (Mattagami First Nation) and IndigiNerds alum Max Dewaele to bring this unique experience to the community.

It's wonderful to see community members come together to explore the stars and enjoy this engaging learning opportunity. Thank you to everyone who helped make this visit possible!

COMM 3EM3: Entrepreneurship and Marginalized Communities

Inside a correctional facility, the Walls to Bridges (W2B) course brings McMaster students and incarcerated students together as equals—learning, debating, and building ideas side by side. This for-credit course will focus on entrepreneurship, collaboration, and social impact.

When: This Fall, Tuesdays 5:30-8:00pm (TBC)
Where: Vanier Centre for Women in Milton, Ontario

Students from all faculties, identities, and genders are welcome to apply!

Application link in bio!

Please direct questions to :
Trish Ruebottom, Professor, DeGroote School of Business McMaster University: [email protected]

💯% certified IndigiNerds! 🤓🙌

We at MIRI are so proud of our 2026 IndigiNerds cohort! 🤓🫶⭐

This year's Closing Ceremony and Poster Presentation featured research across various disciplines: Health Sciences, Rehabilitation Sciences, Social Sciences, Media Studies, and Social Work - to name a few! 🙌😍

It was such a pleasure getting to celebrate these amazing students, we are so proud!🥲We can't wait to see where their journeys take them and how they will affect positive change in our communities as top tier Indigenous scholars 🌼🌎

💛 The 2026 IndigiNerds Research Internship is proudly partnered with the Canadian Cancer Society; supporting Indigenous scholars in pursuing cancer research through the CCS IndigiNerds Stream! 💛

Want to learn more about the IndigiNerd's research projects? Check out our Alumni Archive where you can see each research poster and watch each student present their research!❗🤯 *Please note the 2026 student features are coming soon!*

🤖https://miri.mcmaster.ca/indiginerdsalumni/

Thank you to everyone who made the 2026 IndigiNerds Closing Ceremony and Poster Presentation such a success! ⭐

Special thanks to Elders Kathy Knott and Dixie Doxtator; Kindred Spirits Drum Group, Bev Jacobs, Vice Provost, Indigenous; Gianni Parise, Vice Provost, Research; Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development and Minister of Indigenous Affairs; & Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges and Universities.

Thank you all for starting off this wonderful showcase with kind and heartwarming messages, incredibly moving and soulful drumming, and acknowledging the hard work and amazing accomplishments of the 2026 IndigiNerds cohort! Thank you all for opening this day in a loving and welcoming way 💗

Interested in becoming an IndigiNerd? Keep an eye out for the 2027 application, opening in Sept 2026!

‼️ New Walls 2 Bridges Course This Fall‼️

ENTREP 3EM3: Entrepreneurship and Marginalized Communities

Inside a correctional facility, the Walls to Bridges (W2B) course brings McMaster students and incarcerated students together as equals—learning, debating, and building ideas side by side. This for-credit course will focus on entrepreneurship, collaboration, and social impact.

When: This Fall, Tuesdays 5:30-8:00pm (TBC)
Where: Vanier Centre for Women in Milton, Ontario
(students responsible for their own transportation)

Please direct questions to :
Trish Ruebottom, Professor, DeGroote School of Business McMaster University: [email protected]

Apply here: https://tinyurl.com/ENTREP3EM3

The Indigenous Health Learning Lodge is presenting this series for anyone who would like to learn more about Indigenous health research and decolonizing approaches within academic spaces. Register for the inaugural Decolonizing Education, Evaluation, and Research (DEER) in Health lecture series.

Date: July 13, 2026.
Time: 11:30 am to 1pm EST.
Location: Michael G DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery (MDCL)

Our inaugural guest speaker is Dr. Hugh Burnam.

“ Dr. Hugh Burnam, Hode’nhyahä:dye’, is Mohawk, Wolf Clan. Hugh is an Assistant Professor of Oncology in the Department for Indigenous Cancer Health at Roswell Park, where he examines supports Indigenous advancement and education in cancer research. In his role, Dr. Burnam works to support the ARCH program (Akwesasne Research Center for Health), including supporting Mohawk youth internship programs for high school and college students, and conducts independent research on health disparities and cancer in Indigenous communities. Hugh also has interest in examining the role that residential boarding schools has had on health outcomes of Indigenous Peoples. His latest published work examines land-based healing for Indigenous cancer survivors. Hugh received his doctorate from the Cultural Foundations of Education program at Syracuse University, his master’s degree in Adult Education from Buffalo State University, and his bachelor's degree in individualized studies (Ethnic and Minority Studies) from Buffalo State University. Hugh loves spending time with his family, hiking, lacrosse, and other outdoor activities.”

Register on Eventbrite Here (By June 27 2026):

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/decolonizing-education-evaluation-and-research-deer-in-health-series-tickets-1991939117522?aff=oddtdtcreator