Welcome!
On behalf of all those who make up the Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium (International) [APRC(I)], I bring greetings.
This consortium represents the next step in a planned program development that began in the late 1990s. At that time, we saw two areas of concern. First, researchers in universities were disconnected from their counterparts in government. Second, policy was often driven by ideological and political agendas rather than by understandings based on sound research.
In order to promote more research-based policy making, the University of Western Ontario (UWO) and Strategic Research and Analysis Directorate of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Canada (INAC) formed a strategic partnership through the First Nations Cohesion Project.
In order to build bridges between research and policy, we decided to hold a conference. In 2002, the first Aboriginal Policy Research Conference (APRC) was co-hosted by INAC and UWO. The APRC has become a triennial event with conferences held in 2006 and 2009. We added a third partner in 2006, The National Association of Friendship Centres. The next APRC is in the works for 2012 and will bring together an even wider array of participants working on issues of relevance to Aboriginal policy with a wider international focus.
After the 2006 conference, we decided to found the Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium (International) [APRC)I)] in order to create a hub for connecting researchers working in indigenous issues around the world. We felt there was much to be learned by sharing our work across international boundaries. Please take a few moments and look at the purposes and membership of the consortium. I invite you to contact us with any comments or inquiries.
All the very best,
Jerry P. White
Director, Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium (International)
Professor and Associate Dean of Social Sciences (Graduate Studies, Policy, and Planning)
The University of Western Ontario
London, Canada