This research focuses on an exploratory workshop aimed at integrating Indigenous Knowledge into Canadian business schools to support Indigenous student recruitment, retention, and graduation. The workshop employs a participatory research approach aligned with developing a Theory of Change, acknowledging the complexities and challenges of incorporating Indigenous perspectives. It emphasizes avoiding assumptions about cultural knowledge and respecting Indigenous principles, ensuring Indigenous Peoples are central to the research.

The research report brings together insight from 34 Indigenous and non-Indigenous business faculty, university administrators, and Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Canada who participated in BSAC-funded exploratory research conducted by the research team. It summarizes the conduct of and results from a survey and 2 day-workshop focused on Indigenous faculty underrepresentation in Business Schools and then proposes a Theory of Change and recommendations for how business schools can “extend the rafters” — the Haudenosaunee concept of expanding a longhouse to include new families — to welcome Indigenous Knowledges, faculty, and students into business education and research.

Documents:

• Final report: Things Have Changed: Extending the Rafters of Canadian Business Schools [PDF, English]

• Call for Research Proposals [PDF, English]

This study prepared by David Newhouse, Carolee Cosgrove, Christine Brown, Ayman El-Amir, Jane Gray, Robin Quantick, Asaf Zohar, Lisa Ditschun, Marian Sagoe and Ashley Thompson (School of Business and Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies, Trent University) was supported by the Business Schools Association of Canada and funded through its research grant competition program.