This is episode 5 of the 5-part mini-series that the Fostering Indigenous-led Research Convergence Working Group has put together. These groups were supported by the NNA-CO from June 2023 to May 2025. Their work can be found here. One of the final products of the FILR group is this podcast mini-series, where a member curated the content, from guests to topics.
Imagine sitting down and instead of reaching first for Google Scholar to conduct a lit review you instead click on a quiz "Which Arctic Superhero Are YOU?". The questions and responses allow for the opportunity to reflect and be honest about what type of researcher you are, where your strengths lie, and where you could grow. Sisters, Iñuqpiaq community members, and Arctic researchers, Cana Uluak Itchuaqiyaq and Corina Qaaġraq Karmer from Kotzebue, Alaska created this quiz through the work of their Respectful Research LLC, which exemplifies how research can be accessible and creative. Academic research often fails at those two attributes.
While brainstorming topics and dreams guests Cana's name came up because of her creative and accessible work with her sister, community, and how that is interwoven with her role as an assistant professor at Virginia Tech. By luck or maybe fate Mary Beth Jäger, co-lead for the Fostering Indigenous-Led Research Convergence Work Group met Cana in person at the Arctic Science Summit and invited Cana to be a guest on the podcast series. Cana agreed right away and they both enjoyed some good laughs together.
Enjoy their conversations about creativity and accessibility in research and how Cana works to be a good relative while working and researching with family and community members. Shout out to Dr. Margaret Ruldoph, also a co-lead for the working group for facilitating the conversation.
Check out the show notes for more information!
Mini Series Episode 5 (July 2026):