Our Mandates

Coordinating Cree Research Review Processes

ᐁᐧᐄᐸᔨᐦᑖᑲᓅᐦᒡ ᒦᓐ ᐁᑲᓄᐧᐋᐸᐦᑖᑲᓅᐦᒡ ᐃᔨᔫ ᓈᓂᑐᒋᔅᒉᔨᐦᑕᒧᐧᐃᓐ

This mandate involves coordinating with Cree communities, organizations, and existing research governance initiatives to ensure that research projects involving Eeyou Istchee are directed to the appropriate review process. Existing Cree research review protocols, approval processes, and governance mechanisms would remain active and respected. Aashukin’s role would be to help identify which process applies, direct researchers toward existing protocols when they are already in place, and support coordination between partners so that no research project falls through the cracks.

Where a project is not already covered by an existing Cree review process, the Iiyiyuu Research Review Panel would provide a regional mechanism for review. This Panel will support Cree communities and organizations by reviewing projects that are not otherwise being assessed, while recognizing that final authority remains with the relevant Cree communities, organizations, or authorities.

Eeyou-Eenou Data Governance and Data Access

ᐁᐃᔑᐱᔑ ᒋᔅᒉᔨᐦᑖᑯᐦᒡ ᐃᔨᔫ ᑎᐸᔨᐦᒋᒉᐧᐃᓐ ᓀᔥᑦ ᐊᓐᑦ ᐧᐁᐦᑎᓂᑲᓅᐦᒡ

This mandate focuses on strengthening Iiyiyuu-Iinuu governance over research data, information, and knowledge products. It includes the use and continued improvement of a comprehensive toolkit with guidelines, templates, and model agreements related to data sharing, data stewardship, ownership, access, consent, and the appropriate use of research results.

The Regional Research Portal plays a central role in this mandate. It facilitates access by the Cree Nation to research data, reports, publications, maps, and other research products related to Eeyou Istchee. The Portal also helps monitor ongoing research in the region, reduce duplication, maintain a directory of past and current projects, and support Cree communities, organizations, and leadership in using research findings for their own priorities and decision-making.

Regional Research Capacity Development

ᒥᓯᐦᑌ ᐁᓈᓂᑑᒋᔅᒉᔨᐦᑖᑲᓅᐦᒡ ᐁᐅᔅᑖᑲᓅᐦᒡ ᑲᔅᒋᐦᐆᐧᐃᓐ

This mandate aims to strengthen regional research capacity in Eeyou Istchee by creating spaces where Cree communities, organizations, staff, scholars, graduate students, and knowledge holders can connect around Iiyiyuu Iinuu research and research priorities. Over time, these spaces would support networking, collaboration, mentorship, and knowledge sharing so that research is guided by Cree priorities and responds to local and regional needs.

The mandate also includes the development of research review tools, guidance materials, and training for staff in Cree First Nations and Cree organizations. These resources will help build local capacity to assess research proposals, understand consent and data governance requirements, negotiate research relationships, and determine whether projects align with community expectations.

Aashukin would also support Cree scholars, graduate students, and emerging researchers by helping connect them with communities, organizations, funding opportunities, and regional research priorities. More broadly, this mandate would promote funding opportunities for local and regional Cree research projects and contribute to building a stronger Cree-led research ecosystem across Eeyou Istchee.