The Fostering Indigenous-led Research (FILR) Convergence Working Group (CWG) is one of three CWGs that the NNA-CO supported from June 2023 to May 2025. Each group had experienced and early-career co-leads. This group focused on what Indigenous-led research is now, what it can look like, and next steps toward Indigenous-led research. One of the FILR CWG's final products is this podcast mini-series. Each episode is hosted by a different co-lead and explores a FILR topic of the host's choice, with guests curated by the host. Tune in to this episode of this special mini-series.

This episode is hosted by Dr. Stanislav "Saas" Ksenefontov, with guests Dr. Ekaterina Zibrova and Dr. Vera Solovyeva. Ekaterina and Vera share what it means to be an Indigenous scholar in Siberia and what it’s like to conduct Indigenous and decolonial research there. Though Siberia occupies almost half of the geographical space of northern Eurasia, it is one of the least studied regions in western academia. It straddles both Arctic and subarctic climes and is home to four million people, the majority of whom are Indigenous. Tune in to this fascinating episode, and check out the show notes for more information on our guests!

The Fostering Indigenous-led Research (FILR) Convergence Working Group (CWG) is one of three Convergence Working Groups that the NNA-CO has supported. Each group had experienced co-leads as well as early career co-leads. The FILR group focused on what Indigenous-led research is now, what it can look like, and next steps to creating research that is Indigenous-led. One of the final products of the FILR CWG is this podcast mini-series. The episodes are hosted by a different co-lead of the FILR CWG. Each co-lead host chose a specific topic that relates to FILR to explore with selected guests. Tune in to this special mini-series that dives into what Indigenous-led Research is and can be.

This episode is hosted by Dr. Dylan Blaskey, with guests Henry P. Huntington and Louise Mercer. They are non-Indigenous and offer insight through their experiences working with Indigenous Arctic peoples. Tune in to hear nuggets of wisdom, practical advice, and their take on what it means to Foster Indigenous-led Research.

Check out the show notes for resources shared by the guests!

Episode 7 features the early career co-leads of the NNA-CO Fostering Indigenous-led Research Convergence Working Group. Dr. Margaret Rudolf, Dr. Dylan Blaskey, Dr. Stanislav Ksenofontov, and glaciologist and PhD student Aurora Roth share about their career paths and how they bring their whole selves into their work.

Fostering Indigenous-led Research continues and grows with students and early-career professionals as they continue and add to the momentum of co-production and convergence research that is beneficial to Arctic communities, their respective institutions, as well as the world at large. Learning from their peers, mentors, and experiences, they are more equipped to build and maintain relationships with communities and make lasting and reciprocal connections.

For more information and links to resources, check out the show notes for this episode!

Convergence research engages with vexing and complex research challenges that are pivotal for addressing societal needs. It is a major focus for the Navigating the New Arctic (NNA) program and the NNA Community Office. The NNA-CO’s Convergence Working Groups (CWGs) bring together diverse experts and perspectives that engage with the Arctic to work together towards newly formed and shared goals. There are 3 CWGs supported by the NNA-CO: Fostering Indigenous-led Research CWG, Infrastructure Futures CWG, and Arctic Observing Systems and Technology CWG.

Episode 6 features the Fostering Indigenous-led Research CWG Experienced Co-leads Mary Beth Jäger and Heather Jean Sauyaq Kwamboka Gordon, who share their insights to the group, what it means to foster Indigenous-led research, and how this benefits not only the group members and researchers, but Arctic communities and peoples.

Join us for part 2, where we dive deeper with guests Mary Beth Jäger and Heather Jean Sauyaq Kwamboka Gordon on the topic of Fostering (or Amplifying) Indigenous-led Research. They share insights and their thoughts on how to move forward with Fostering Indigenous-led Research.

Check out the show notes for resources and information about Mary Beth and Heather!

Convergence research engages with vexing and complex research challenges that are pivotal for addressing societal needs. It is a major focus for the Navigating the New Arctic (NNA) program and the NNA Community Office. The NNA-CO’s Convergence Working Groups (CWGs) bring together diverse experts and perspectives that engage with the Arctic to work together towards newly formed and shared goals. There are 3 CWGs supported by the NNA-CO: Fostering Indigenous-led Research CWG, Infrastructure Futures CWG, and Arctic Observing Systems and Technology CWG.

Episode 6 features the Fostering Indigenous-led Research CWG Experienced Co-leads Mary Beth Jäger and Heather Jean Sauyaq Kwamboka Gordon, who share their insights to the group, what it means to foster Indigenous-led research, and how this benefits not only the group members and researchers, but Arctic communities and peoples.

Part 1 gives listeners an introduction to our guests, their position within Arctic Research, and insight into Arctic Research from two Indigenous perspectives.

Check out the show notes for Episode 6 for more information and resources!

As we move forward with research in the Arctic, many agencies and researchers are looking at their research practices critically to be more inclusive, equitable, and practical. Indigenous Knowledge (IK) and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) are included more often, leading to new questions such as “How can we ensure IK is included in Arctic research?” The FAIR and CARE principles, the new NSF tribal consultation requirement, and the upcoming ICARP IV in Boulder, Colorado in 2025 showcase this shift toward Arctic inclusion.

Arctic Together Episode 5, a special episode with guests Varvara Korkina Williams, Dalee Sambo Dorough, and Matthew Druckenmiller, explores Indigenizing Arctic Science. These expert guests have decades of experience between them as well as different perspectives that enhance the discussion of Indigenizing Arctic Science. This is a continuation of the dynamic, forward movement toward Indigenizing Arctic Science. Check out the show notes for more information.

Arctic Together episode 4 part 2 features scholars Edna Lyberth and Jay Kim, who both study fisheries that have ties to Greenland. It ends with an artist intersection with Alaskan artist Erin Ggaadimits Ivalu Gingrich.

Check out the show notes for Episode 4 here!

This episode of Arctic Together features Greenland and focuses on fishing and subsistence. We are joined by Principle Investigator Mary Albert who discusses the Qulleq project, Jay Kim who is a PhD student in the Systems Approaches to Understanding and Navigating the New Arctic (SAUNNA), Greenland scholar in the Arctic Resilient Communities Youth Fellow program, Edna Lyberth, who is studying Engineering in Fisheries Technology, and artists Nive Neilson of Nive and the Deer Children and Erin Ggadamits Ivalu Gingrich. Join us and learn about these unique projects and exemplary people!

Part one features Dr. Mary Albert sharing about the Qulleq project, and recording artist and actress Nive Nielsen of Nive and the Deer Children.

Check out the show notes here!