Her research promotes Indigenous self-determination by supporting Indigenous Peoples’ efforts to design and manage their own social services, justice programs and child protection systems. Based on a participatory, interdisciplinary approach, this chair challenges systemic marginalization and bolsters Indigenous-led governance models.
“To achieve Indigenous self-determination, there has to be recognition of our knowledge, our practices and our voices,” she says. “Through this chair, I want to create a space for research and action that will be grounded in our realities, a space where Indigenous people can be fully involved as stakeholders in the solutions that impact them.”
A key part of her work is incorporating traditional knowledge systems, especially Miᴧo Pimatisi8iᴧ, or “the good life.” In the aᴧiciᴧapemo8iᴧ language, Miᴧo Pimatisi8iᴧ refers to the idea of leading a healthy, balanced, full life. It’s a belief several Indigenous Peoples share because of how deeply connected it is to the land. As an example of what this means, health isn’t just about physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual factors — it also includes the environment and a person’s relationships with their family, their community, their cultural identity and the land. Professor Wylde explains that in aᴧiciᴧape philosophy, Miᴧo Pimatisi8iᴧ is based on maintaining responsible, two-way relationships with all living things.
This concept, like other Indigenous doctrines, stems from a holistic approach to wellness that emphasizes balance, reciprocity and interconnectedness between people, their communities and the natural world. By applying this framework to public policy and social services, Wylde is seeking to transform institutional approaches to justice, child protection and social services in a way that emphasizes Indigenous values.
This chair also plays a key role in training the next generation of Indigenous researchers. It provides mentoring and research opportunities that tie scholarly inquiry to community-based solutions. The societal consequences of this work are significant: it spurs reforms to public policy affecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis, and it promotes culturally rooted approaches to justice and social services.
A commitment centred on social justice and political innovation
The University of Ottawa is proud to support research that directly contributes to social justice, public policy transformation and community empowerment. In creating this research chair, uOttawa is reaffirming its commitment to promoting knowledge that creates real change in society. Wylde’s work on Indigenous self-determination shows how academic research can shape national and global conversations on equity, governance and social reform. With this initiative, we cannot only move scholarly knowledge forward but also pave the way for a more just society.