Welcome to the IRN

In July of 2022, Professor Dale Turner was appointed to a three-year term as the Academic Advisor of Indigenous Research to the Provost. Under the umbrella of Indigenous Research, he also serves as the Director of the Indigenous Research Network. Professor Turner will also work closely with Shannon Simpson, Director of Indigenous Initiatives, and the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. 

Professor Turner is a citizen of the Temagami First Nation in northern Ontario. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science and Centre for Indigenous Studies in the Faculty of Arts & Science. His research interests include Indigenous politics, contemporary Indigenous intellectual culture, contemporary political theory, and the philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein.

Starting May 2024, Dr. Meagan Kakwiráyentha Hamilton joins the Indigenous Research Network as Managing Director. A member of the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, she holds a Doctorate in Social Science and a Masters of Environmental Education and Communication from Royal Roads University.

Previously, she served as assistant professor in the Centre for Indigenous Studies at U of T and helped develop the Indigenous Environmental Leadership Pathways program at Royal Roads University. Her work centers on advancing Indigenous environmental stewardship and promoting the sovereignty of Indigenous nations.

In her new role, Dr. Hamilton will collaborate closely with Indigenous faculty, students, and communities to advance Indigenous-focused research initiatives within the university, led by Indigenous scholars and benefiting Indigenous communities.

Roxanne joined the Indigenous Research Network in July 2023 as the Indigenous Communities Liaison. She is a member of Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. Having graduated from the Onkwehon:we Languages Diploma Program – Kanien’keha:ka (Mohawk) at Six Nations Polytechnic in collaboration with McMaster University, Roxanne continues to strive to learn and support Indigenous knowledge and language learning across the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

In October 2024, Jessica Tabak joined the Division of People Strategy, Equity & Culture and the Office of the Vice-President and Provost in the role of Special Projects Officer, Indigenous Research, within the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. 

Jessica is Anishinaabe from Neyaashiinigmiing and Hungarian. She is a band member of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. She holds an MSW in Social Work from Toronto Metropolitan University, and she has served on  various Advisory Councils and Board of Directors.

Jessica joins us from the UTM Office of Indigenous Initiatives where she was a Special Projects Officer, Indigenous Initiatives. Her work there had a strong focus in Indigenous placemaking, community consultations and mobilizing reconciliation efforts as outlined in Wecheehetowin; Answering the Call.

In her new role, Jessica will collaborate closely with Dr. Dale Turner to advance Indigenous-focused research projects and initiatives within the University.