JUNE 10, 2025 (VANCOUVER, CANADA) — Leading scholars Dr. Amy Parent from the Nisga’a Nation and Dr. Sonajharia Minz of the Oraon Tribal Peoples have been jointly appointed the UNESCO Chair in Transforming Indigenous Knowledge Research Governance and Rematriation. Hosted at Simon Fraser University (Vancouver) in collaboration with Jawaharlal Nehru University (New Delhi), this vital role focuses on uplifting Indigenous communities in Canada, India, and beyond by strengthening their right to self-determination and research governance, while using gender inclusive methods and advanced technologies.

A UNESCO Chair is an academic position established at a university or research institution in partnership with UNESCO to promote international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity-building in areas aligned with UNESCO’s priorities — such as education, cultural heritage, sustainability, and human rights. Each Chair brings together researchers, educators, and communities to advance interdisciplinary work and address global challenges through research, training, and policy development. The program is part of the UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme, which supports over 1,000 Chairs in more than 125 countries.

Parent and Minz hold expertise in transdisciplinary fields including education, governance, computer science, artificial intelligence, and language revitalization. Parent says, “We are
thrilled with this opportunity to continue catalyzing systemic transformation and undertake deeper responsibilities with Indigenous Peoples around the world in an Indigenous knowledge-centred, matriarchal driven, and technologically advanced manner.”

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