INQ at the 93rd Acfas Congress

INQ will participate in the Acfas conference as part of the symposium Decolonizing University Education: Pedagogical Experiences and Relational Research in Indigenous Contexts.

When the Land Becomes a Classroom: Reflecting on Institut nordique du Québec’s 2025 IREN Training at Camp Kanapeut

Speakers:

Béatrice Capolla (Institut nordique du Québec (INQ)), Rachel Hussherr (INQ-UQTR), Ysaline Bacon (INRS), Hugo Rochon (McGill University)

The Introduction to Northern Research and Issues (IREN) training, offered by Institut nordique du Québec since 2019, aims to equip graduate students conducting projects in Northern or Arctic contexts. Originally designed as a summer school focused on fieldwork preparation and cultural awareness, it has evolved over the years to integrate collaborative research approaches, co-construction, knowledge mobilization, and Indigenous perspectives based on diverse epistemologies and cultural practices.

The training now combines online modules with three days of in-person sessions. The preliminary modules establish a common foundation on the Northern research landscape, socio-economic issues, Indigenous knowledge, and ethics in a Northern context, while the in-person portion allows for deeper exploration and practical application of these learnings.

The 2025 edition marked a turning point: for the first time, the training was held at the Kanapeut traditional Innu site, a place for the transmission of Innu-aitun and cultural revitalization. This immersion reinforced land-based learning, mutual respect, and sustainable research relationships. Two co-organizers and two participants will share their experiences.

Photo: Béatrice Capolla, INQ