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Research fora Better Life


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UAKN.ORG

The UAKN is a research network with a focus

on urban Aboriginal concerns. Our goal is to

contribute to a better quality of life for Aboriginal

peoples living in cities and towns by filling

knowledge gaps in urban Aboriginal research,

programming and public policy.

Our research aims at fostering mino-biimaadiziwin - the good life - for urban

Aboriginal peoples. This goal is achieved through funding high-quality, policy-relevant

research that brings together perspectives from academia, government and the urban

Aboriginal community.

The UAKN is housed at the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC). Both

the NAFC and the Friendship Centre Movement (FCM) play a central role in the

Network. Over the last fty years, the FCM has developed community-led programs

and research to improve the quality of life for urban Aboriginal peoples. Expanding on

these practices, we continue to explore the challenges and opportunities experienced

by Aboriginal peoples living in Canadas urban centres.

Our national network develops progressive and positive public policy based on

research information collected by the community for the community.

The UAKN has four sets of expertise:

Community driven research

Knowledge mobilization

Administration and development of research networks and grant processes

Knowledge of local community structures


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UR BAN ABOR IGINAL KNOWLEDGE NETWOR K (UAKN)

A vibrant senseof community among acomplexity of challenges

The 2011 National Household Survey found that nearly 60 percent of Aboriginal peoples

live in urban areas. This population faces a variety of challenges. The urban Aboriginal

community is younger and growing at a faster rate than the non-Aboriginal Canadian

population. Urban Aboriginal peoples are less likely to graduate high school and pursue

post-secondary education. Their socio-economic status also remains far lower than that oftheir non-Aboriginal neighbours.

These are only some of the challenges currently facing urban Aboriginal peoples. As of now,

these issues have not been examined and analyzed sufciently enough to develop healthy,

progressive public policy in Canada. The UAKN is lling knowledge gaps in urban Aboriginal

research by coordinating with this growing and vibrant population.


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UAKN.ORG

CommunityDriven Research

The UAKN ensures that our research is driven by Aboriginal communities and results in

improved quality of life for urban Aboriginal peoples. Our national network is established

on a model of partnership and co-creation of knowledge. Prominent voices in our network

include scholars, policy makers, urban Aboriginal communities and organizations that

provide services to urban Aboriginal peoples. Beyond ensuring that our research addresses

the needs of urban Aboriginal peoples and provides for a better life, we also strive to

cultivate new knowledge to create a better-informed Canada.

With these goals in mind, the UAKN uses four themes to guide our national research.

Human Development: needs and outcomes of individuals and families

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: A study was done to develop our understanding of how

chemically dependent Aboriginal people recover from addictions using qualitative research

methods. Voices in this study include the Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan

and researchers from the University of Saskatchewan.

The theme of Living Well Together examines notions of biimaadiziwin - living a good

life - to exemplify research and practice that honours the well-being and positive

contributions of Aboriginal Peoples in urban settings.

FOSTERING BIIMAADIZIWIN CONFERENCE 2011 PARTICIPANT


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Social Cohesion: community well-being, education, justice

Victoria, British Columbia:A research project was conducted to explore the process and

outcomes of developing and implementing culturally sensitive physical activity resources for

young urban Aboriginal children. Voices in this project include the Victoria Native Friendship

Centre, Aboriginal principals in local school boards, the Island Mtis Family and Community

Services Society and researchers from the University of Victoria.

Economic Development: economic participation, education and skills development,employment, entrepreneurship, income

Thunder Bay, Ontario:A research project was undertaken to create awareness about the

economic impact of Aboriginal people to Thunder Bays economy and build community

capacity to create a welcoming urban environment. Voices in this project include the Thunder

Bay Indian Friendship Centre and researchers from Lakehead University.

Civic Engagement: the role of urban Aboriginal councils and/or urban Aboriginal

communities in the city alongside other local organizations

Fredericton, New Brunswick: A research project was conducted that documents the

experiences of young urban Aboriginal families. It included research on the working

relationship between organizations, how jurisdiction differences affect access to services and

if the difference in rules, eligibility and services are easily distinguished and understood.

Voices in this project include Under One Sky Head Start and the University of New Brunswick.

PHOTO: IRINIA POPOVA PHOTOGRAPHY


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UAKN.ORG

KnowledgeMobilization

The UAKN and its partners are committed to mobilizing knowledge that creates positive

change. We strive to ensure that research produced through the UAKN is accessible to

various stakeholders, to expand impact. The UAKN highlights its research in many ways

including: presentations, publications, reports and through our website.

Community driven research facilitates knowledge mobilization at all stages of the UAKNs

research process, through the involvement of various stakeholders. As a result of the

partnerships created through the research process we expect positive impacts at community,

academic, policy and network levels.


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Administration anddevelopment ofresearch networksand grants processes

The UAKN works in partnership with the Government of Canada and its agencies

to facilitate our goal of developing progressive and positive public policy for

urban Aboriginal peoples.

Since 2007, the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) has worked closely with

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) to develop the UAKN. In

2012 the UAKN was awarded a ve year partnership grant from the Social Sciences and

Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), which supports research across Canada.

Our network reaches far beyond government. Urban Aboriginal communities across

Canada are vital partners in our research and network. We combine information

from these communities through partnerships with key Canadian academic institutions.

This is accomplished in an inclusive manner of information gathering, knowledge

exchange and healthy reconciliation with the goal of improving the quality of life of

urban Aboriginal peoples.


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UAKN.ORG

UAKN ORGANIZATIONAL CHART


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Knowledge of localcommunity structures

The UAKNs national network provides a different kind of partnership by developing

stronger relationships. Our governance brings together urban Aboriginal communities,

academics, governments and others stakeholders in pursuit of knowledge creation,

mobilization and transfer.

At the community level, Friendship Centres and other urban Aboriginal organizations play a

critical role in our research development and policy improvement processes.


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UAKN.ORG

RegionalResearch Centres

The UAKN has four Regional Research Centres that serve as host institutions and are located

in universities. The Centres are comprised of practitioners, researchers, representatives

of urban Aboriginal communities and government policy makers. Each Centre is

responsible for planning projects, broadening stakeholder engagement and ensuring

knowledge exchange in their region of Canada. Emphasis is placed on the participation of

young Aboriginal scholars.

A Western Research Centre,University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia

B Prairie Research Centre,University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

C Central Research Circle,Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario

D Atlantic Research Centre, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick


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www.uakn.org

facebook.com/theuakn

@theuakn

Social Sciences and Humanities

Research Council of Canada

Conseil de recherches en

sciences humaines du Canada

Aboriginal Affairs andNorthern Development Canada

Affaires autochtones etDveloppement du Nord Canada

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