Indigenous Futures Research Centre

The IFRC sends a heartfelt congratulations to all of the graduates who crossed the stage during this week’s Spring Convocation ceremonies at Concordia! 🎓✨

We are especially proud to celebrate the brilliant current and former research assistants from AbTeC and Abundant Intelligences , as well as the members of the IFRC community who reached this important milestone.

James Agbonhese, MEng, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Sierra Barber, MFA, Studio Arts
Tarcisio Cataldi, MDes, Design
Moe Clark, MA, INDI (Social Science)
Rodrigo D’Alcantara, PhD, Art History
Arijit Debnath, MFA, Cinematic Arts
Julia Fortin, MA, Art History
Wan Hua Li, BFA, Computation Arts
Amanda Lickers, MA, INDI (Social Science)
Jennifer Léveillé McFarlane, BFA, Major Art History and Studio Arts
Jobena Petonoquot, MFA, Fibers and Material Practices
Jasmine Sihra, PhD, Art History

Congratulations on this remarkable achievement. We look forward to following your next chapters and seeing the many ways you will continue to transform the future! 💖

Centre d'art daphne is looking for a new Executive Director!

Earlier this week, artists matt and Izy dropped by for a visit to the IFRC and the MASH Lab. The two Māori artists are in town for the BACA Biennale, and it was wonderful to spend some time together, exchange ideas, and hear more about their work!

Pictured are Matt and Izzy visiting with MASH Lab director and prof. Miranda Smitheram, as well as AbTeC Co-Director Skawennati.

La Biennale d’art contemporain autochtone (BACA ), 8th edition is currently on display at various locations! You can view Izzy’s work at Quai 5160 – Maison de la culture de Verdun and Matt’s work at EXPRESSION, Centre d’exposition de Saint-Hyacinthe.

💫 ◌ Roundtable Discussion ◌

Following the exhibition 𝘜𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦 𝘦𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯, “ the Fondation Grantham invites the public to a roundtable discussion on Sunday, June 14.

This event will bring together curators Julie Bélisle and Josianne Poirier, as well as three featured artists: Maude Arès, Hannah Claus, and Angela Marsh. For those who haven’t yet visited the exhibition, this will be the perfect opportunity to discover it. Join us for some great discussions!

Location: Grantham Foundation, 1411 Blanchard Street, Saint-Edmond-de-Grantham
Time: 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Admission: Open to all with registration

This event will take place in French!

Link in bio for more details and to register 🎟

Image: Works by Maude Arès and Hannah Claus

Join us for our next 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗕𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀 featuring Meg Summers!

will share her research on how digital storytelling in in video games can be used as an educational tool to bring awareness to environmental issues. In her work, she explores the relationship of Mi’kmaq values of sustainability and modern Maritime fishing practices through interactive game mechanics.

Meg Summers is a Mi’kmaq artist raised in Ottawa, Ontario who specializes in game design and programming. She strives to make education more accessible through gamification and immersive storytelling in digital media. Her work pushes players to embrace their mistakes as a way to learn and grow.

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗕𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀 is a lunchtime series hosted by the IFRC that creates a space for members to share their work in a casual, conversational setting. Bring your lunch, meet fellow researchers, and join us for inspiring exchanges across disciplines!

𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 12:30 PM EST
𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: EV10.705, 1515 Ste. Catherine St. W.
🌊 Everyone welcome!

Exceptionally, the IFRC will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday, May 20) for an event!

We will be open as usual the following day 💜

Bring your beads, sewing, drawing, or any works-in-progress and join us for an afternoon of making together this Tuesday, May 12, at IFRC! ✨

We’ll be joined by special guest, Tayla Hartemink! is a Tūhoe curator, painter, illustrator, and graphic artist currently visiting Tiohtià:ke from Aotearoa while working on this year’s BACA Biennale.

Gather & Make is a drop in crafting gathering at the IFRC. We’ll have collage materials available but encourage you to bring your preferred materials and projects to work alongside others!

*Image features Tayla’s stamps and prints! Bring a fabric item such as a tote bag, t-shirt, or patch, to stamp on!

As part of our Research Bites series, IFRC member Dailey Trainor presented some of his research on futurist perspectives of Indigenous design, embracing epistemologies ingrained in traditional Haudenosaunee corn husk weaving to challenge contemporary parametric design practices and modelling tools.

Dailey Trainor (he/him) is a mixed settler-Ojibwe design student and member of Thessalon First Nation. Committed to emerging and historical decolonial approaches to design, Dailey’s work centers on contemporary and futurist Indigenous perspectives in architecture and design. His work seeks to empower traditional craft and community-led approaches across design disciplines.

Thanks to Dailey for a great conversation and thanks to everyone who came!