The CANOE approach will help guide researchers in building stronger, more thoughtful relationships with Indigenous communities. While many researchers are eager to engage in this work, few pause and reflect on a more foundational question: Should you be engaging in community-based research to begin with? Through hands-on training, the CANOE (Circumspective Awareness, Navigating, Outcomes and Expectations) approach encourages researchers to reflect on whether their work should involve community engagement and how to do so in a good way. This one-day workshop introduces the CANOE Approach, a framework that invites researchers who are newer to community-engaged research to reflect on their readiness, responsibilities, and relationships before embarking on a community-engaged research journey. Rooted in the lived experiences of researchers committed to community-based work, participants will learn about ethical research practices, community expectations, and the importance of consent and collaboration, working towards reducing harm caused by outdated or colonial research approaches and creating space for lasting partnerships. Participants who complete the CANOE approach workshop will have a sense of whether their research vessel is prepared to navigate research waters in a meaningful and reciprocal way.
“This workshop builds on the CANOE framework published in The Lancet, co-authored by Dr. Kimberly Huyser, who also serves as one of the workshop facilitators.
Dates: Thursday, January 22nd, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM (PT)
Location | In-person on UBC Vancouver Campus. Exact location TBD.
Audience: This event is open to Faculty of Medicine staff, faculty, and clinical faculty.