The MSVU Black and Indigenous Speaker Series highlights the scholarly work of Black and Indigenous scholars from across Turtle Island. The purpose of this series is to initiate important conversation by inviting Black and Indigenous scholars to share their knowledge, worldviews, and their contributions to their respective academic field.
The Mount Saint Vincent University Black and Indigenous Speaker Series are excited to announce the upcoming Fall 2025 speakers, RSVP today!
Come join us on Monday, September 29, 2025 for the first speaker talk of the season with Zabrina Downton’s talk “From Resistance to Governance: The Emergence and Relevance of Mi’kmaw Ethics Watch”
This presentation traces the history of Mi’kmaw Ethics Watch (MEW), from resisting harmful colonial research to establishing Indigenous-led governance over research in Mi’kma’ki. It highlights MEW’s guiding principles, its role in protecting Mi’kmaw knowledge and sovereignty, contemporary relevance, global connections, ongoing challenges, and opportunities for strengthening Indigenous research governance.
RSVP today by filling out Zabrina Downton’s talk RSVP form.
About Zabrina
Zabrina Downton is a queer Mi’kmaw scholar and educator of mixed ancestry, and a member of Wasoqopa’q First Nation. She is the Program Coordinator for the Mi’kmaw Ethics Watch, where she works with researchers, ethics boards, institutions, and Mi’kmaw communities to ensure research is ethical, respectful, and community-centered. Zabrina holds a BA Honours in Anthropology/Sociology and a Certificate in Social Research from Cape Breton University, as well as an MA in Social Justice and Equity Studies from Brock University.
Upcoming talk in October…
Come join us on Friday, October 24, 2025 for the second Fall speaker talk with Dr. Eric Oliver, further information about the talk coming soon!
RSVP today by filling out Dr. Eric Oliver’s talk RSVP form.
About Dr. Eric Oliver
Eric Oliver is an inuk from Labrador. He grew up in Goose Bay and his father’s family is from Tikkoraluk Island and Rocky Cove, along the north shore of Aivitok (Groswater Bay) in central Labrador. On his mother’s side, he is descended from German and English settlers along the south shore of Nova Scotia. These family roots have provided him with the ability to see and understand both Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives in the world. Academically, Eric obtained a PhD in Physical Oceanography from Dalhousie in 2011 and currently works there as Associate Professor in the Department of Oceanography, a position he has held since 2017. Eric’s research focuses on the coastal ocean and sea ice in Nunatsiavut (northern Labrador) in particular finding ways to bridge natural science and Inuit Knowledge.
Stay tuned for further updates in the near future!