Theme: Shaping the EvoLUtion - Our Next-Gen Transformative Research

2026: There are two receipts of the award this year.

Leigh Potvin, Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism, Keira Loukes, Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism, Larissa Speak, Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, Monique Woolnough, Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, Brandon Chevrier, Master of Education Student, Red Rock Indian Band, Jean Marshall, Community Member from Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Shelby Gagnon, Community Member from Aroland First Nation Charlotte Marten, Community Member from Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug and Andrew Mandamin, Community Member from Wikwemikong Unceded Territory for their research project on Weweni Zhichge: Building community research together through hide tanning.

Jill Taylor-Hollings, Department of Anthropology, Martha Dowsley, Department of Anthropology, Chief Clifford Bull, Lac Seul First Nation, Elder Raymond Angeconeb, Lac Seul First Nation, Gerald Kejick, Lac Seul First Nation for their research project on Lac Seul First Nation Manomin (“Wild” Rice) Research, Resilience and Restoration. 

Both projects recognize mutually beneficial outcomes for the researchers and Indigenous partners, contributing to the education of Indigenous students and unique dissemination of research results that takes into account individual/community needs.

Theme: Reflect. Research. Innovate

2025: The award recipients are Anna J Koné Péfoyo, Department of Health Sciences, Lana Ray, Athabasca University, Ariel Root and Janet Gordon, Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority, Janice Spencer and Serena Joseph, Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe'iyewigamig, and Paul Capon, Matawa First Nations Chiefs Council for their research project on Impact of Covid-19 on Indigenous Communities. Their project recognizes mutually beneficial outcomes for the researchers and Indigenous partners, contributing to the education of Indigenous students and unique dissemination of research results that takes into account individual/community needs.

2024: The award recipients are Jian Deng, Department of Civil Engineering and Marcus Hardy, Chief of Red Rock Indian Bank for the research project on Nipigon River landslides: monitoring, mechanisms, and mitigation. Their project recognizes mutually beneficial outcomes for the researchers and Indigenous partners, contributing to the education of Indigenous students and unique dissemination of research results that takes into account individual/community needs.

Theme: Improving our Lives through Research

2023: The award recipients are Scott Hamilton, Department of Anthropology, Jill Taylor-Hollings, Department of Anthropology, Clarence Surette, Department of Anthropology, Christopher McEvoy, Department of Anthropology, and William Dumas, for their research project on Six Seasons of the Asiniskaw Īthiniwak: Reclamation, Regeneration, Reconciliation. Their project recognizes mutually beneficial outcomes for the researchers and Indigenous partners, contributing to the education of Indigenous students and unique dissemination of research results that takes into account individual/community needs.

Theme: Planetary Stewardship

2022: The award recipients are Helle Møller, Department of Health Sciences, Denise Taylor, North West Regional Rehabilitative Care Program Manager, Catherine Joan Rae, Director of Health and Social Services at Sandy Lake First Nation, Garth Wesley Nothin, Health Director of Bearskin Lake First Nation, Marlene Quequish, Health Director of North Caribou Lake, and Robert Baxter, Director of Health and Social Services of Eabametoong First Nation for their research project on Supporting Elders Living with Frailty in Remote Indigenous Communities in Northwestern Ontario: Developing the Role of a Community Rehabilitation Facilitator. Their project recognizes mutually beneficial outcomes for the researchers and Indigenous partners, contributing to the education of Indigenous students and unique dissemination of research results that takes into account individual/community needs.

Theme: Our Changing World

2021: The award recipients are Christopher Murray, Departments of Physics and Sustainability Sciences and Nancy Assance, Director of Department of Education at Beausoleil First Nation for their research project on Agaaming ~ Across the Bay: Beausoleil First Nation Wind and Water Monitoring Project. Their project recognizes mutually beneficial outcomes for the researchers and Indigenous partners, contributing to the education of Indigenous students and unique dissemination of research results that takes into account individual/community needs.

Research and Innovation Week 2020

Theme: Our Creative Mind

2020: The award recipients are Vicki Kristman, Department Health Sciences, and Audrey Gilbeau, Executive Director, Nokiiwin Tribal Council.  The award recognizes their numerous collaborative projects which include key roles for Indigenous peoples, mutually beneficial outcomes for the researchers and Indigenous partners, contributing to the education of Indigenous students and unique dissemination of research results that takes into account individual/community needs.

Theme: rise of the Machines

2019: The award recipients are Dr. Christopher Mushquash, Department of Psychology, Canada Research Chair, and Director of the Centre for Rural and Northern HealthResearch; and Ms. Tina Bobinski, Assistant Director of Mental Health and Addictions, Dilico Anishinabek Family Care.  The award recognizes their numerous collaborative projects which include key roles for Indigenous peoples, mutually beneficial outcomes for the researchers and Indigenous partners, contributing to the education of Indigenous students and unique dissemination of research results that takes into account individual/community needs.

Theme: Connections

2018:  This year recognized two successful partnerships:

Dr. Ruth Beatty, Department of Education, LU Orillia Campus, and Christina Ruddy, First Nations partner, for their project titled, “Connecting Anishinaabe and Western Mathematical Ways of Knowing”

Dr. Frederico Oliviero, Department of Anthropology, and Chief Clifford Bull, Lac Seul First Nation Nation for their collaborative project titled, “A Tridimensional Approach to First Nations' Land Use and Occupancy in Northwestern Ontario: an Applied and Culturally Relevant Pilot Study”.