La Chaire UNESCO

Mission

Passing on the desire to transmit

Associated with Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, the UNESCO Chair – The Transmission of First Peoples’ Culture to Foster Well-Being and Empowerment is the first Chair of Indigenous governance in the entire network of UNESCO Chairs. Its mission is to promote and participate in an integrated system of research, training, knowledge transfer and documentation in the fields of education, wellness and culture among First Nations and Inuit.

It facilitates collaboration among cultural experts, Indigenous knowledge-holders and top researchers from universities and institutions of higher education in Quebec, Canada, the Americas and the world.

Launch of the UNESCO Chair, May 2018.

Modeling the Chair’s vision

Inuit waterproof windbreaker
Whale intestine membranes, sinew thread,
McCord Museum of Canadian History
Design et culture matérielle database
Object #90

The source

Sharing a unique expertise

The UNESCO Chair – The Transmission of First Peoples’ Culture to Foster Well-Being and Empowerment is based on the research and creation work of the Design et culture matérielle (DCM) project, headed by Elisabeth Kaine. Since 1991, the project has maintained a privileged relationship with the 10 Indigenous Nations and the Inuit Nation of Quebec. It grants assistance in their process of identity affirmation through the development of their tangible and intangible heritage, in addition to supporting innovation and creation linked to the heritage. [...]

The source

Sharing a unique expertise

The UNESCO Chair – The Transmission of First Peoples’ Culture to Foster Well-Being and Empowerment is based on the research and creation work of the Design et culture matérielle (DCM) project, headed by Elisabeth Kaine. Since 1991, the project has maintained a privileged relationship with the 10 Indigenous Nations and the Inuit Nation of Quebec. It grants assistance in their process of identity affirmation through the development of their tangible and intangible heritage, in addition to supporting innovation and creation linked to the heritage. [...]

Inuit waterproof windbreaker
Whale intestine membranes, sinew thread,
McCord Museum of Canadian History
Design et culture matérielle database
Object #90

Governance

Drawing inspiration from Indigenous philosophies

As it relates to Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, the collaborative research model put forward by the UNESCO Chair strives for a better mutual understanding between First Peoples and the research community. This willingness to improve relations is embodied in a governance framework inspired by Indigenous philosophies based on consensus, horizontal relationships, and alliances. [...]

Collaborative development of research programs.
Establishment of the UNESCO Chair, 2018.

Modeling the values that inspire Indigenous research

Janvier 2019, Wendake.
Groupe de travail sur la recherche autochtone

Ethics

Acting with integrity and transparency

The Chair cannot fulfill its mission without a straightforward governance framework, quality partnerships and irreproachable ethical principles. In this regard, it will follow the guidelines listed in the FNQL Research Protocol, the document entitled “National Inuit Strategy on Research” by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Tri-Council Policy Statement (the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research). The Chair's Elders Committee will likewise define a “togetherness ethics”.

Ethics

Acting with integrity and transparency

The Chair cannot fulfill its mission without a straightforward governance framework, quality partnerships and irreproachable ethical principles. In this regard, it will follow the guidelines listed in the FNQL Research Protocol, the document entitled “National Inuit Strategy on Research” by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Tri-Council Policy Statement (the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research). The Chair's Elders Committee will likewise define a “togetherness ethics”.

January 2019, Wendake.
Work group on Indigenous research.

Objectives

Sharing common objectives

Each UNESCO Chair project is unique. It is characterized by the relevance of its expertise. Its community presence demonstrates its willingness to create new relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Its unique perspective must demonstrate its capacity to innovate and experiment given the situations encountered. The outcomes expected involve creative ways of doing things leading to the well-being and autonomy of First Peoples, with, by and for themselves.

Working group for the development of the action plan of the Scientific Committee.