We are an Indigenous-led lab dedicated to advancing anti-colonial and resurgence frameworks towards life affirming engagement with Indigenous literatures.
The Indigenous Literatures Lab is based at the University of Toronto and directed by Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) scholar Dr. Jennifer Brant. We engage in research, resource sharing and programming that aims to:
Uplift Indigenous literatures to promote anti-colonial literacies in educational settings;
Advance critical discourse analysis by utilizing existing Indigenous literary frameworks that take on a strength-based approach to teaching YA Indigenous literatures;
Leverage resurgence frameworks that weave theories promoting Indigenous cultural safety and build a strong foundation for ethical and anti-racist engagement with Indigenous literatures.
Click here to continue reading about our Protocols for Honouring Indigenous Knowledge for non-Indigenous educators.
Dr. Jennifer Brant giving a lecture on Indigenous Maternal Methodologies: Ethical and Relational Responsibilities. Dr. Brant’s work concentrates on Indigenous maternal pedagogy, researching Indigenous and woman-centred teaching and learning approach. Her work draws on ceremonial aspects of Indigenous culture, Indigenous women’s literature and ways educators can decolonize and Indigenize the academy. Click here to view the full lecture.
Featured Content
Recent Announcements
-
![]()
Centering Haudenosaunee Narratives: Literacies of Land.
Join the Indigenous Literatures Lab for the next even in our Speaker Series, Beyond Reconciliation in English Language Arts: Ethical Encounters with Indigenous Literatures as Enlivened Praxis.
Author Alicia Elliott, scholar Dr. Kevin White, and artist-author Dr. Sara General will discuss Centering Haudenosaunee Narratives: Literacies of Land.
Join us on July 17, 2025, at 6:00 PM (doors at 5:30) in the Nexus Lounge, 12th floor, OISE
-
![]()
Working with Indigenous Literatures: Storytelling in Contemporary Contexts
The Indigenous Literatures Lab is excited to announce the next event in our Speaker Series: Beyond Reconciliation in English Language Arts: Ethical Encounters with Indigenous Literatures as Enlivened Praxis. This event will be held on June 4, 2025 on Ground Floor of the OISE Library at 6:00pm.
Join Dr. Joaquin Muñoz (UBC) and Dr. Amy Farrell (U of M) for a conversation on engaging Indigenous young adult literatures and storytelling in contemporary educational contexts.
This in-person event fosters connections across Indigenous communities, literary artists, ELA educators, and grad students. A recording will be available online.
-
![]()
Spring Reading Circle
Come together with us—either in person or online—for an engaging evening of discussion on Ravensong by Lee Maracle.
The session will be held at the University of Toronto’s St. George campus. Registered participants will receive the exact location details in advance.
“Where do you begin telling someone their world is not the only one?” (Maracle, 2017)
-
![]()
Ally Is A Verb by Rose LeMay In Conversation with Tanya Talaga
We were thrilled to share an inspiring evening of dialogue and reflection with our special guest speakers, Rose LeMay and Tanya Talaga. The event took place on April 29, 2025, on the main floor of the OISE Library.
You can use the link below to purchase this incredible book from Another Story bookshop, our partner in this event.
-
![]()
Becoming Good Relatives: Honouring Humanity within Indigenous Literatures
Join us for an insightful evening of conversation with Katherena Vermette & Dr. Aubrey Jean Hanson on April 8, at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto.
-
![]()
Intergenerational Lessons from Indigenous Maternal Theory
Dr. Brant and Grandmother Shirley will offer a discussion on Indigenous kinship models from Canada for supporting mother work as a way to strengthen the work of raising up the youngest generations. Taking place in Australia, you can join virtually at 3:00am, Toronto time.
-
![]()
Rematriating Justice: Honouring the Lives of Our Sisters in Spirit
Our incredible panelists, Dr. Jennifer Brant, Dr. Memee Lavell-Harvard, and Sana Shah, moderated by Dr. Kai Recollet, brought lively discussion and shared heartfelt stories about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls crisis.
-
![]()
Indigenous Lit Lab Awarded School of Cities Grant
The School of Cities, which is based at the University of Toronto, is a unique multidisciplinary hub for urban research, education, and engagement creating new and just ways for cities and their residents to thrive. The ILL is excited to be a recipient of the grant which will be supporting our Rematriating Justice book launch and other ILL activities.
-
![]()
ILSA 2025: Indigenous Literatures as Sites of Language Reclamation
PhD student and Graduate Assistant in the Indigenous Literatures Lab Jasmine Rice will be presenting “Indigenous Literatures as Sites of Language Reclamation: An Analysis of And Then She Fell” at the 2025 Indigenous Literary Studies Associations (ILSA) gathering.
-
![]()
AERA 2025: ILL Presenting on Teaching Indigenous Literatures
Dr. Jennifer Brant, Jasmine Rice, Erenna Morrison and Gayatri Thakor will be presenting their paper “Anti-Colonial Frameworks and Ethical Commitments for Teaching Indigenous Literatures: Insights from the ‘Since Time Immemorial Book Club’” at the 2025 American Education Research Association Annual Meeting. AERA will be taking place from April 23–27, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
-
![]()
Envisioning Anti-colonial Futures: Lessons from Cherie Dimaline’s The Marrow Thieves
A new article by Rose James and Dr. Jennifer Brant to be published in the March 2025 English Studies Canada journal.
-
![]()
New Chapter: Decolonizing Praxis: Thinking with Pedagogical Place Encounters
A new chapter is out in the edited volume, Teaching as Radical Logic. This chapter was written in collaboration with Dr. Fikile Nxumalo. and Dr. Jennifer Brant.
