Brandon University is thrilled to announce that Dr. Michelle Lam has been appointed as a Canada Research Chair in Rural Community Education for Reconciliation.
This prestigious recognition, and $500,000 funding over five years, underscores Dr. Lam’s commitment to exploring the role of education in advancing reconciliation between Indigenous Peoples, settlers, and newcomers, particularly in rural communities. Her thoughtful, community-centred research focuses on the power of storytelling and personal narratives to foster deeper understanding and build meaningful relationships. Dr. Lam’s research shines a spotlight on the potential of education to transform relationships, challenge systemic injustices, and build more just, equitable, and respectful communities. This broader, more inclusive view highlights the importance of creating opportunities for dialogue and learning in everyday spaces, where both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities can come together to share stories, confront histories, and build a shared, respectful future.
“I’m excited to collaborate directly with communities to create spaces for dialogue and shared learning, and I’m hoping to address historical and ongoing injustices and promote equity.” Said Dr. Lam, “Education is not confined to formal classrooms or academic institutions but can take place in a wide range of spaces, which are often overlooked in conventional educational frameworks, and are crucial in shaping public understanding of reconciliation.”
“Dr. Lam’s dedication to reconciliation and rural education aligns perfectly with our university’s values,” said Dr. Bernadette Ardelli, Vice-President (Research & Graduate Studies) at Brandon University. “We are immensely proud of her achievement and excited to see the positive change her work will inspire.”
Dr. Lam’s research not only contributes to the academic discourse surrounding reconciliation but also invites rural communities to engage directly in the collective process of learning, unlearning, healing, and rebuilding. Her appointment heralds a new chapter in Brandon University’s mission to engage with issues of societal importance on both local and national scales.
Please take a look at an interview with Dr. Lam: https://youtu.be/46CZhGGcoyg