Early glimpse of grad-school life
Intensive summer program pairs indigenous scholars with McMaster researchers
Growing up on a reserve on Manitoulin Island, Shanna Peltier thought her dream of going to grad school would remain just that — a dream.
But that dream is now a little closer to reality thanks to a summer program at McMaster University that gives indigenous students from across Canada an early taste of graduate-school life.
Peltier is one of 22 students taking part in the Indigenous Undergraduate Summer Research Scholars (IUSRS) program, which pairs students with researchers from many different areas of expertise.
The eight-week session also incorporates indigenous studies in the research projects and includes various cultural teachings and activities.
“I thought it was too good to be true,” said Peltier, 20, a psychology and women’s studies major at Laurentian University in Sudbury.
“It’s giving a small town girl like me, who grew up on the reserve, the opportunity to work in a school like McMaster and gain experience in graduate-style work.”
IUSRS program co-ordinator Bernice Downey, who launched the project last summer, said organizers did some things a bit differently this year by collaborating with Six Nations, which is handling and hosting the indigenous-related activities of the program.
The session was also expanded from six weeks to eight, to allow more time for research.
Downey said the main focus is to get indigenous undergrad students thinking about going to graduate school.
“We are producing graduates from university now. But we want them to go on, we want them to become the faculty in the university and that is the next frontier,” she said.
Peltier said she loves the collaboration between modern research and indigenous issues.
“They’re adding this cultural aspect where we’re able to learn in a different sense, they’re trying to show us that western knowledge isn’t the only way of knowing,” Peltier said.
“There are two different worlds and we’re learning, by being indigenous, we’re learning to navigate those two worlds and it’s OK to have one foot on this side and one on the other.”
Peltier, who is currently researching Indian child welfare and transnational adoptions after the Second World War, said the program hasn’t just taught her basic skills. She has also learned about the barriers she may face being an indigenous woman in grad school.
“It’s really given me an opportunity to see how other scholars have done advocacy work in their specific field and gain respect.”
Besides supporting Peltier and other students in their academic research, the program pays for their travel, food and accommodation, and even gives them a $5,000 stipend.
For many indigenous students, including Peltier, it means everything.
“I would not have been financially able to come here without having the support that McMaster has given the students,” she said.
Next up for Downey is finding ways to keep the program going for years, including “exploring options with private donors.”
Doug Welch, acting dean of the School of Graduate Studies, said he is very optimistic everything will work out.
“I certainly have every intention to continue to do it in the future. It’s been such a success,” he said.