MIYWÂCIMO
The Indigenous Directions Storytellers Competition
ABOUT THE COMPETITION
© Concordia University, photo by Lisa Graves
As part of Concordia’s commitment to developing Indigenous research capacity and creating new funding opportunities for Indigenous students, the Office of Indigenous Directions has created an annual competition based on research excellence. This award competition aims to provide Indigenous students with a platform to present and highlight the importance of their research interests to an audience. The competition emphasizes Indigenous values and knowledge systems. In addition, it seeks to highlight research projects that stand to benefit Indigenous communities.
Eligible students are asked to submit an application explaining why their research projects are important to them and Indigenous communities. Each shortlisted candidate will receive funds to prepare their presentations. Candidates will also benefit from:
Support from faculty on making impactful presentations
- Opportunities for peer feedback and workshopping
- Experience sharing research with a large audience
- Inclusion of Miywâcimo! on their co-curricular record
Finalists will be invited to make a short 4-minute pitch in front of an audience. Presentations will be judged by a panel composed of Concordia professors and Indigenous community members. The winner and runner-up of the competition will receive awards to help them complete their research and sustain them during the course of their graduate degrees.
Eligibility & rules
Currently registered First Nations, Inuit and Métis graduate and final-year undergraduate students in an honours program are eligible. Proof of identity may be required.
- Presentations are limited to 4 minutes maximum.
- Thesis topic and/or research topic must be significant to an Indigenous community, collective, organization or the scope of Indigenous research.
- Presenters are encouraged to be creative with their method of presentation.
- Presenters must register for the event and be eligible to present on the day of the event..
- Additional props are permitted.
- The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.
How to apply
Applications for 2024 Miywâcimo competition are open.
Interested in participating? Indigenous Directions invites eligible students to fill out the online application form by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 28, 2024.
Judging criteria
Content
- Was the thesis topic significant to an Indigenous community, collective, or organization?
- Was the presentation creative and original?
- Did the presenter clearly outline the purpose of their research?
- Did the presentation provide an understanding of the research question being addressed?
Communication and engagement
- Did the presentation make the audience want to know more?
- Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research?
- Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience’s attention?
- Did the style of presentation enhance the content?
- Did the presenter use language and terminology that was clear and understandable?
*If you are part of a research team, you may need permission from the principal investigator to share research findings.
For any additional questions, please contact indigenous.directions@concordia.ca.