Abstract

This study utilizes a mixed methods approach to evaluate graduate thesis research in Geography departments across Canadian universities on topics involving Indigenous issues/peoples.
Graduate theses considered in the study include masters and doctoral level theses completed in the Geography programs of 22 Canadian universities between 1989 and 2018. The evaluation is intended as a tool or proxy for tracking changes within the discipline of Geography with respect to the respectful engagement of Indigenous peoples. The focus on graduate thesis research is premised on the idea that graduate student training is reflective of discourses and directions that are current within the overall discipline while also shedding light on the formation of the next generation of scholars. The evaluation involved a scoping method which identified 306 graduate theses (201 Masters theses; 105 doctoral theses) through a keyword search of thesis titles and abstracts in ProQuest and the Theses Canada Portal of the Library and Archives Canada (LAC). Findings revealed an increase over time in research topics that involved/impacted Indigenous peoples. Attention to climate change and food security has increasingly dominated as a research theme over the past decade. Qualitative analysis of the theses was conducted based on an assessment of four indicators: 1) acknowledgement of Indigenous participants and communities; 2) inclusion of traditional Indigenous knowledge; 3) application of participatory methods; and 4) benefits of research to the community. Findings reveal a positive trend for each of the indicators over time. However, much remains to be done to advance decolonization within the discipline.