Ishkode: Interdisciplinary and Indigenous Pathways to Wellness Research Group

About Us

Since inception in 2020, our research group partners on applied health and wellness research projects requested by communities, organizations, and/or governments. We are committed to collaborative and partnered approaches to developing, conducting, and sharing knowledge from research.

The health and wellness of people, families, communities, and nations are often tied to non-health systems such as education, child welfare, justice, environment, local governance, and spirituality. As such, our work often involves working with diverse and interdisciplinary rights holders and stakeholders to address issues that will lead to improved health and wellness, as defined by those who the research is intended to benefit.

Our Name and Logo

We are honoured to have our research group gifted the name Ishkode by Elders Ningwakwe (Priscilla) George and Lori Kewaquom of Saugeen First Nation (pictured below). The Ishkode: Interdisciplinary and Indigenous Pathways to Wellness Research Group at Wilfrid Laurier University is led by Dr. Melody Morton Ninomiya (Canada Research Chair in Community-Driven Knowledge Mobilization and Pathways to Wellness; Associate Professor, Laurier Department of Health Sciences) and includes students and experienced researchers. Rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing, Ishkode (pronounced ish-ko-deah) is both a physical and virtual gathering space where community partners, students, and researchers come together to engage in meaningful, community-driven health and wellness research.

Elder Ningwakwe George Elder Lori Kewaquom

At its heart, Ishkode is dedicated to supporting community health and wellness through research that is community-requested, responsive, and accountable. While we prioritize and embed mentorship and training for Indigenous students, we work with diverse students who understand the importance of cultural humility, self-determination, and dignity for all equity-denied and deserving people. The community-driven research work we do extends beyond academia, ensuring that research knowledge is accessible, engaging, and impactful for the communities we serve.

The Meaning of Ishkode

The name Ishkode is a combination of two parts: ishk or shk meaning “first”, and ode meaning “heart”. Together, Ishkode is the Anishinaabemowin word for "fire", and is also translated as “first spark in your heart”. We received this gifted name with gratitude and recognition for the profound significance Ishkode carries. To summarize Elders Ningwakwe George and Lori Kewaquom’s reflection on how they came to choose this name for the Lab: fire is a cleanser, clearing away the old to make way for new growth. It is the spark of creation, the life force within all of us, and a source of resilience and renewal. Sacred fires have long been used in ceremonies, healing, and gatherings—not only to guide spirits on their journey but also to support those who remain.

Ishkode represents the fire within—the strength that fuels us, the warmth that brings people together, and the energy that sustains our collective work. As a research lab, we see this name as a reflection of our mission: to nurture the inner fire of students, community members, and researchers, strengthening each other through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and a commitment to addressing the health and social inequities faced by Indigenous communities.

We invite all who share our commitment to social and epistemic justice, health equity, and Indigenous self-determination in research to connect with us. Whether through collaboration, mentorship, or learning, we welcome you to Ishkode, where we will continue to feed the fire of knowledge, healing, and transformation together.

The Logo

The logo was created by Ojibwe artist Taylor Cameron (https://www.neowoodland.ca), also from Saugeen First Nation. The Ishkode logo is a graphic interpretation of the elements and meaning of the name Ishkode.

Key Areas of Research

Integrated knowledge sharing and mobilization in research and community contexts
Health and wellness programs/services asset mapping
Mental health, addictions, and trauma-informed supports
Indigenous community-governed or -partnered health research
Community mental health
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

Interdisciplinary and Indigenous Pathways to Wellness is involved in projects that extend beyond the key areas of research listed above, as well as embody or study the areas above. For example, while all Indigenous health research projects are governed by and/or partnered with Indigenous communities, we are also collaborating on developing, piloting, and evaluating online training on Indigenous community research partnerships, principles, and practices. We collaborate with other community and research partners on projects in areas such as cultural safety, data governance and surveillance, and culturally-specific health indicators.

Objectives

Support research that will directly benefit individuals, families, and communities’ health and wellness.
Conduct research using research methodologies, practices, and protocols that are acceptable and appropriate for the local context.
(Co-)develop effective knowledge sharing and mobilization practices and products - ensuring that knowledge shared and emerging from research is relevant, accessible, and tailored for the intended audiences, rights holders, and stakeholders.
Provide mentorship and training opportunities for students interested in community-partnered research, especially Indigenous students interested in Indigenous community-driven research.
Provide mentorship, training, and hands-on experience assisting with research on community-partnered research.

Theories, Concepts, and Approaches

Research methodologies and methods greatly vary depending on the project. Depending on the objectives and desired outcomes of the project, the knowledge systems, key concepts, and approaches may vary. For example, we have projects that are:

governed and led by senior Indigenous scholars, Elders, and Knowledge Guardians and follow Indigenous research methodologies
based on a First Nations’ community-defined indicators of wellness and success and evaluation framework
arts-based qualitative studies
mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative components)
literature reviews (rapid, scoping, systematic, and realist)
blended methodologies that bring Indigenous and Western-informed methodologies, methods, and protocols

All research with and for Indigenous groups, organizations, and nations are governed and owned by the Indigenous group, organization, or nation.

Collaborators (past and present)

Academic Research Partners

BC Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health
Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Misuse (CRISM), Ontario
Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Misuse (CRISM), Quebec & Atlantic
Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies, Athabasca University
Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
Department of Community Health & Epidemiology, University of Saskatchewan
Faculty of Education, University of Alberta
Faculty of Engineering, University of Manitoba
FASD Prevention NAT, CanFASD
Indigenous Initiatives, University of Waterloo
Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael’s Hospital
Research School of Population Health, Australian National University
School of Nursing, Thompson Rivers University
School of Planning, University of Waterloo
School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University
Social Work, McGill
Sociology and Anthropology, Carleton University
Well Living House, St. Michael’s Hospital
School of Nursing, University of Victoria

Funders

Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Misuse (CRISM) - Ontario Node
Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Misuse (CRISM) - Quebec & Atlantic Node
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
Canada Research Chair Program
Public Health Agency of Canada
Mitacs
Direct organizational/community funding