Research for

a Better Life

UAKN.ORG

URBAN ABORIGINAL KNOWLEDGE NETWORK (UAKN)

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 fifty 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

UAKN.ORG

A vibrant sense
of community among a
complexity 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 of
their 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 sufficiently enough to develop healthy,
progressive public policy in Canada. The UAKN is filling knowledge gaps in urban Aboriginal
research by coordinating with this growing and vibrant population.

URBAN ABORIGINAL KNOWLEDGE NETWORK (UAKN)

Community
Driven 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

UAKN.ORG

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

URBAN ABORIGINAL KNOWLEDGE NETWORK (UAKN)

Knowledge
Mobilization
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.

UAKN.ORG

Administration and
development of
research networks
and 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 five 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.

URBAN ABORIGINAL KNOWLEDGE NETWORK (UAKN)

UAKN ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

UAKN.ORG

Knowledge of local
community 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.

Over the last 40 years, there has been an incredible series of urban Aboriginal
institutions that help to improve the quality of life. There are alternative schools, school
programs, health programs, health institutions in the city and Friendship Centres.
Friendship Centres serve as cultural centres, advocates for Aboriginal people and
services. They have been the site for Aboriginal businesses and they have been the
entry point for many people coming into the city and that institutional framework has
been very helpful in helping people to live well.
DAVID NEWHOUSE, UAKN PRINCIPLE INVESTIGATOR AND RRC DIRECTOR

URBAN ABORIGINAL KNOWLEDGE NETWORK (UAKN)

Regional
Research 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
B
C
D

Western Research Centre, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia
Prairie Research Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Central Research Circle, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario
Atlantic Research Centre, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick
UAKN.ORG

www.uakn.org
@theuakn
facebook.com/theuakn

Social Sciences and Humanities

Research Council of Canada
Aboriginal Affairs and
Northern Development Canada

Conseil de recherches en
sciences humaines du Canada
Affaires autochtones et
Dveloppement du Nord Canada