KPU receives over $700k in federal grants

Kwantlen Polytechnic University has received a total of $716,390 from the federal government to grow training for First Nations archeologists and fund research studying South Asian sexual and reproductive health experiences.

Expanding First Nations archaeology field school

The field school is receiving $358,507 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

The school is attempting to address the growing need for more First Nations professionals in archeology. The program is tuition-free and is designed for First Nations students with field experience or interest in archeology.

KPU anthropology instructor Brian Pegg said there simply are not enough trained archeologists to meet the demand in B.C. The field school first launched in spring and the three-year grant will support the program’s continuation.

Pegg also noted that part of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples — a declaration Canada adopted in 2016 — is that Indigenous communities can control their own heritage and history.

Increasing the number of trained First Nations archaeologists helps communities play a larger role in researching and protecting that history.

“With the First Nations, with Indigenous groups, it’s their own history. Prior to the colonial period, these communities were not using writing to document their history. They documented it through oral histories, as well as the material remains left in the ground,” said Pegg.

KPU’s Indigenous Admissions Committee has also created paths for students to enter the program who may not have the traditional admission requirements by recognizing lived experiences. Larissa Petrillo, special advisor for strategic initiatives at the university, said the initiative is one way KPU is changing the belief that there is only one way to access university.

“There were students who maybe didn’t have some of the high school requirements. We were able to assess their existing knowledge and their suitability for studying at KPU, not just for the field school, but studying at KPU as a whole,” said Petrillo.

Understanding sexual health in South Asian communities

KPU researcher Sunny Mangat is leading a study that will examine barriers South Asian women and South Asian LGBTQ+ students face when navigating sexual health and reproductive services in the province.

The study is also being supported by $357,883 from the NSERC.

Mangat, a criminology instructor, explained the project idea came after many conversations with students, service providers and community organizations who all spoke about similar challenges. The research will also aim to explore how access to care can be shaped by cultural, informational and systemic factors.

“I’ve had students who have never been able to come out to anybody before but felt comfortable doing so with me. We need to create that space for these students. Their experiences are real and they need to be documented,” said Mangat.

Researchers will be examining issues like seeking reproductive care — this includes abortion and sexually transmitted infection-related services — and accessing support after sexual violence or exploitation.

The findings will be used to inform policies and programs that support students and build on prior community conversations about health equity and gender-based violence.

“Universities need to provide more support, and institutions at all layers need to recognize that when we’re working with marginalized people, their needs are fundamentally different,” said Mangat.

“The first step is creating awareness that this is actually happening. It’s not just rumours. From there, we can work together as a community and with institutions to develop supports that better meet students’ needs.”