“As Aunties, we carry the stories, wisdom, and laughter of our ancestors. Through this program, we aim to pass these gifts to the next generations, knowing they will carry them in the most beautiful and meaningful ways”.
This mentorship program is aimed at providing support to early-career Indigenous scholars. Through the creation of an inclusive space within IASSA, we bring forth distinct experiences and knowledge in a gathering space that centers our Indigenous ways of knowing. As we gather, we understand that we are kin within the Arctic regions–aunties, uncles, cousins, Elders, Wisdom keepers–that are guided by this deep-rooted responsibility to guide and support future generations.
Rooted in the values of kinship and walking together, the IASSA Auntie Mentorship Program seeks to create a nurturing circle where emerging scholars, researchers, educators, storytellers, and community members are guided by auntie wisdom, experience, and heart knowledge. The goal is to foster a community of care that honours matriarchal leadership centring the spirit of reciprocity for future generations. In our home communities, as we come together and gather in spaces, it is our Aunties who are often the ones that bring the spirit of laughter, enlightenment, and encouraging words, and with this intent we want to continue this notion of auntie wisdom as we gather. Aunties have special roles in our communities including providing support, guidance, and advice. This relationship is rooted in trust and carries on across generations. The notion of ‘Auntie’ ties us together in relation as kin gathering in spaces of unfamiliarity where the presence of having aunties makes it feel familiar again. As Aunties, we want to carry this notion forward to early career researchers and community members who join us as a place to celebrate and honour our journeys together; with wisdom, fierceness, and joy.
Mission:
the core mission of this program is to ignite, support and uplift early career researchers (ECRs), community members and the next generations through culturally grounded mentoring that will:
- Uplift and carry forward Indigenous ways of knowing, learning, and sharing;
- Strengthen personal growth and professional development rooted in Indigenous identity, values, and community;
- Assist in navigating the IASSA space and conferences;
- Create a welcoming space that centers care, meaning, and brings joy as a way forward in the academic journey.
Program Description:
The IASSA Aunties Mentoring Program is designed to support Indigenous ECRs, educators, storytellers, and community members to navigate their personal and professional journeys. Guided by aunties–alongside respected Elders, wisdom keepers, community leaders and matriarchs–participants will engage in a holistic learning and mentoring supports that are grounded in Indigenous teachings and experiences. We welcome Indigenous scholars–including Elders, wisdom keepers, aunties, uncles, cousins–to come alongside us as we learn and grow in community kinscapes[1] that centre our worldviews, kinship relations, place, stories and knowledge as Arctic relatives.
The program will emphasize holistic learning through relational gatherings and shared experiences. Through this initiative, we plan to create a strong, dynamic Indigenous network of scholars in social sciences. We will establish this through the following:
- Developing an Indigenous Journey Alongside IASSA–Guidance Book in 2025-2026
- Ask Aunty a question - Indigenous early-career scholars are invited to ask questions to aunties in relation to IASSA or ICASS processes and participation through contacting them via email.
- Fall 2026- aunties will host a virtual gathering circle that will aim to bring together early-career and more experienced Indigenous scholars, aunties, and knowledge keepers to build relationships and discuss the upcoming participation in ICASS XI.
- Spring/summer 2027 - In-person gathering during ICASS XI, Nuuk, Greenland. The goal of this gathering will be celebrating Indigenous knowledges and scholarship.
Contact:
member of Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation in Canada,
she is also PhD in education at the University of Alberta
Itelmen from Kamchatka, Russia,
she is also assistant professor at the Department of Anthropology at University of Victoria in Canada.
[1] Kinscapes. (Nathalie Kermoa)l
