About Us
Our work brings Indigenous organizations and university-based partners together to support decision-making and impact assessment informed by Indigenous knowledge, values and governance systems.
Our Purpose
Advancing Self-Determination
Founded on the principles of interconnectedness, respect and reciprocity, the purpose of the Balance Co-Lab is to advance Indigenous self-determination, community capacity and well-being.
Through collaboration, we bring a diverse range of academic disciplines and community partners together to create impactful solutions that honour Indigenous knowledge and traditions and make a meaningful difference in the lives of Indigenous peoples.
Our Vision,
Our Values
Our Vision – Through collaboration, we bring a diverse range of academic disciplines and community partners together to create impactful solutions that honour Indigenous knowledge and traditions and make a meaningful difference in the lives of Indigenous peoples.
Our Values – We are guided by the principles of interconnectedness, respect and reciprocity.
A Transdisciplinary & Collaborative Approach to Research
Integrating diverse academic disciplines and working collectively to address complex issues.
Deep Community Participation & Engagement
Ensuring that Indigenous voices are central in all stages of our work.
The Co-Creation &
Co-Development of Projects, Plans, and Outcomes
Working hand-in-hand with Indigenous community partners to shape initiatives that reflect their needs and aspirations.
Extensive Knowledge Sharing
Facilitating the exchange of knowledge and best practices with Indigenous Nations and organizations worldwide.
Training & Mentoring
Developing the next generation of students and researchers to continue advancing Indigenous priorities.
Our Story
The Balance Co-Lab is funded by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) of Canada Partnership Grant. This work emerged from a prior collaboration with Toquaht Nation, funded by a SSHRC Partnership Development Grant in 2013.
Toquaht Nation sought to co-develop a system to evaluate economic development opportunities and measure impacts of projects to ensure alignment with Toquaht values, culture, and the Nation’s aim to build a healthy community. After sharing about the sustainability assessment system developed with Toquaht Nation, other Indigenous organizations wished to pursue similar projects.
The Balance Co-Lab was formed to further this work.
Current Work
& Future Goals
Building a Sustainable Future
Balance Co-Lab is engaged in multiple projects that focus on Indigenous economic development, impact assessment, food security and sovereignty, Indigenous territorial and economic governance, ecosystem protection and regeneration, and community health and well-being.
Our goals include expanding our reach by making adaptable, context-specific, sustainability assessment systems and training programs on Indigenous impact assessment available to Indigenous communities globally.
Our Community Partners
We work with a diverse range of community partners with a shared vision and commitment of Indigenous empowerment.
Meet Our Team
Our transdisciplinary team includes researchers from University of Victoria, University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, and international partners in Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Columbia.
Together, we work with Indigenous organizations and communities to enhance their capacity as they build environmental stewardship programs and develop local economies based on Indigenous worldviews, values, knowledge and governance systems.
Learn more about the passionate individuals driving our mission forward.
Governance
Guided by our theoretical approach that centres Indigenous self-determination and our methodological approach focused on community-based participatory action research, our governance reflects our spirit of collaboration, transparency, reciprocity and knowledge sharing across and within the partnership.
Funding Partners
We are grateful for the support of our funding partners who make this work possible.
Our Work
Our work brings community- and university-based partners together to support decision-making and impact assessment informed by Indigenous knowledge and values.
Learn More