About us
Situated on the territories of the Songhees, Esquimalt and W̱SÁNEĆ people at the University of Victoria, the Centre for Indigenous Research and Community-Led Engagement (CIRCLE) is a research centre dedicated to promoting and engaging in research with Indigenous Peoples to improve their well-being.
Through meaningful engagement with communities and organizations in British Columbia, across Canada, and internationally, CIRCLE seeks to promote, facilitate and lead relevant and ethical research that improves Indigenous peoples' well-being. We bring together diverse academic and community members to support inclusive mentorship, community-led research training and knowledge sharing driven by, and for the benefit of Indigenous Nations and Peoples.
CIRCLE provides resources and support for faculty, students and communities to undertake Indigenous research and related activities and our programs are respectful of local Indigenous knowledge systems and worldviews. We promote culturally safe and appropriate research relationships as well as meaningful collaborations at local, regional, national and international levels.
Mandate
CIRCLE provides resources and support for faculty, students and communities to undertake Indigenous research and related activities. Our programs are respectful of local Indigenous knowledge systems and worldviews. The Centre promotes culturally safe and appropriate research relationships as well as meaningful collaborations at local, regional, national and international levels.
CIRCLE Priorities
- Indigenous political and legal traditions;
- Research that is grounded in Indigenous knowledge systems and worldviews;
- Indigenous, decolonizing and reconciling research approaches and methodologies;
- Interdisciplinary and collaborative Indigenous research;
- Community-led engagement and relationship building;
- Voices of Elders, knowledge holders, residential school survivors and cultural leaders;
- Culturally-grounded knowledge sharing, including oral and arts-based;
- Land-based learning;
- Indigenous education;
- Indigenous wellness.
About CIRCLE's logo
Qal’thlal’lamahchun (Orca in Lekwungen language) by Lekwungen Elder and artist Dr. Butch Dick (Yux'wey'lupton). The concept for CIRCLE’s logo originated from a pod of orcas that were swimming off shore and began to swim in a circle faster and faster. Then the orcas broke for the shore and began to transform first into a Sea wolf and then into a wolf, which is the origin of all Salish people.
For any questions, or concerns, please contact us.