b'RESEARCH KNOWLEDGE NESTDEVELOPING DATA ANALYSIS SKILLS By Nikita Weiss DayThe first participants in Indspires Research KnowledgeNest applaud the skill-building programT he first research program ofjustice from the University of Alberta.explains Wiebe. In academia, which its kind in Canada, IndspiresShe jumped at the opportunity tois where a lot of my experience Research Knowledge Nest (RN),learn more about quantitative datacomes from, you write something, is committed to fostering Indigenousanalysisnot only what it looks like,and your professor sees it and then leadership in the field of quantita- but also why it is important.it doesnt really go anywhere tive research. Through this program,whereas with this report I really felt it Indigenous post-secondary studentsThe big reason why I wantedcould make a difference.and recent graduates receive hands- to work with Indspire was to be on training to find answers to ques- working with Indigenous communi- MEETING GOALStions surrounding the Indigenousties across nations for their benefit,For Joshua Thomas, the Research education and labour market.and to be able to give back toNest was the perfect next step as a communities that have given soquantitative Indigenous researcher The ultimate aim of the programmuch, and to be involved in thatin the mid-stage of his career. I is to provide decision-makers withreciprocity, says Wiebe. wanted to work in a quantitative key insights into the educationalaspect in some capacity, but also for attainment of Indigenous peoplesIn thinking about what she wasan Indigenous organization, i.e., to in Canada and to foster a newmost proud of, Wiebe points to thework in that quantitative way in the understanding of how educa- first published report she createdcontext of Indigenous research and tion can support the wellbeing ofwhile at the Research Nest backIndigenous education, says Thomas.Indigenous communities. in November 2020. The data from this report, Supporting CaregiversBorn in Nanaimo, B.C., Thomas is Kayleigh Wiebe was hired as aThrough Their Post-Secondaryfrom the Snuneymuxw Band. His research assistant at the ResearchEducation, helped to identify areaseducational background was largely Knowledge Nest in May 2020one ofin which caregivers experiencesquantitative, pursuing his masters the very first group of people takingcould be enriched, allowing for adegree in economics at the University part in the program. A member offulfilling education that sees theirof Saskatchewan. I was very happy the Whitefish Lake-Atikameg Firsthard work reflected.to learn a lot more about the Nation, located about five hoursIndigenous post-secondary landscape north of Edmonton, Wiebe has herThe most important thing was Iin Canada, he says. Thats kind masters degree in gender and socialfelt like I had created something,of what all of our research is about The big reason why I wanted to work with Indspire was to be working with Indigenous communities across nations for their benefit, and to be able to give back to communities that have given so much, and to be involved in that reciprocity Kayleigh Wiebe 68indspiration2021'