Strengthening trust: Dalhousie’s Indigenous research facilitator connects communities – Dalhousie University

September 22, 2025

Zane Sylliboy says his work as an Indigenous research facilitator is about linking two worlds. The role within the Office of the Vice President Research and Innovation was created to support researchers, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, who want to work with Indigenous communities, and to strengthen how those relationships are built.

Sylliboy says much of his work is focused on providing direction at the earliest stages of a project. His guidance includes reviewing existing plans and trying to help steer them toward better outcomes, noting that it’s important for researchers to understand from the beginning how they intend to acknowledge perspectives or interpretations that draw on traditional knowledge and Indigenous Ways of Knowing.

He says communities should be put in the driver’s seat. “There needs to be a stronger emphasis on having communities identify on where they want to see research,” he says. “A lot can be done through organizations. They can identify where they want to see work done and formulate ideas to address the areas where they want to see work.”

Read More: https://www.dal.ca/news/2025/09/22/zane-sylliboy-dalhousie-indigenous-research.html