Nicole S. Kuhn

About
Nicole S. Kuhn, a doctoral candidate in the Information School, was awarded a summer FLAS fellowship to gain proficiency in X̱aad Kíl or the Haida language.
Nicole is pursuing a doctorate in Information Sciences looking at how Indigenous research and ethics protocols are informed by the cultures and values that are rooted in Indigenous languages.
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Sang̱áay ‘láa! As a member of the Skidegate Band of the Haida Nation and a fourth-year PhD Candidate at the Information School, I study the intersection of information, technology and Indigenous communities. I rely on Indigenous research methodologies to consider how our communities are developing their own research ethics protocols and how these can bOe respectfully and responsibly applied to Indigenous social media and health communication research.
I am deeply committed to supporting the self-determination of Indigenous peoples, particularly for our Haida Nation which is divided by the Canada-U.S. border that lies between Haida Gwaii, Canada and southeast Alaska. Central to Haida self-determination in both countries is the understanding and expression of our Haida culture and values which are rooted in our language, X̱aayda Kíll. I am personally committed to becoming proficient in my Haida language not only to support my scholarship and future work but also for my own growth as a Haida citizen and mother who shares the responsibility to continually breath life into our language, keeping our culture and communities strong for our work together today, as well as for our future generations.