Victoria, Canada - The International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL) in Victoria, hosted by the University of Victoria, is dedicated to advancing knowledge and capacity in key thematic areas, including oceans, climate and sustainability; innovation and entrepreneurship; decolonisation and Indigenous knowledge; and global health and well-being.
In line with its mandate, CIFAL Victoria works to facilitate the transfer of knowledge, experience and best practices; encourage cooperation and multi-stakeholder partnerships; provide networking opportunities; and contribute to the development of local and national strategies aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These commitments are reflected in CIFAL Victoria's recent research outputs, developed in collaboration with the University of Victoria and other key partners.
Recent Research Contributions
CIFAL Victoria Director, Dr Crystal Tremblay, has been actively engaged in advancing Indigenous-led, community-based research and education. A notable initiative led by the University of Victoria in partnership with the Victoria Native Friendship Centre (VNFC) and the Victoria Foundation is setting a national precedent in Indigenous-informed scholarship.
Dr Tremblay recently contributed a book chapter, co-authored with VNFC Director Tanya Clarmont, in the textbook Teaching Community-Based Participatory Research: Socially Responsible & Ethically Anchored, edited by Rajesh Tandon and Budd Hall. The chapter, titled Learning Community-Based Participatory Research with Indigenous Knowledge-Keepers in Canada, highlights the significance of reciprocity, relational accountability, and Indigenous methodologies in research and education.
Aligned with this thematic focus, CIFAL Victoria also contributed to an article published in May 2025 on Indigenous knowledge-bridging for ecological stewardship in Canada and Tanzania, reinforcing the Centre's dedication to working collaboratively with Indigenous communities.
Featured Publications
- Howard, A. (2025). Commissioning community-based art projects to support engagement with nature-based solutions. Frontiers in Sustainability, 6:1592706. https://doi.org/10.3389/frsus.2025.1592706
- Bell, E., Tremblay, C., Carodenuto, S., Downie, B., Dearden, P., Ole Kileli, E., & McDougall, S. (2025). Indigenous knowledge-bridging to support ecological stewardship in Canada and Tanzania. People and Nature, 00:1-12. https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.70034
- Tremblay, C. & Clarmont, T. (2025). Learning Community-Based Participatory Research with Indigenous Knowledge-Keepers in Canada. In: Tandon, R. & Hall, B. (Eds.). Teaching Community-Based Participatory Research: Socially Responsible & Ethically Anchored.
