Meet our Faculty Researchers - Tammy Cayer-Dokis
Jun 7, 2022 | Research Centre
Researcher Profile: Tammy Cayer-Dokis
Tammy is a faculty member within the School of Indigenous Studies at Canadore College and Coordinator of the Kikandaaswiwin Mookiisin Indigenous STEAM Program. She has been in this position since 2018 and leading a team of students and staff in the STEAM program. She is leading a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada PromoScience project. The project, Kikandaaswiwin Mookisin STEAM Library & Wiidokwananig waasa wenjibawad mentorship Program: Animating an Indigenous Digital STEAM Platform, creates an innovative platform that celebrates Indigenous STEAM practices and creates capacity within Indigenous communities to respond to the unique needs of Indigenous learners and educators in remote and isolated communities. This project is set to be completed by December 31, 2022, but its impacts will be felt beyond this time.
Tammy has an extensive educational background that has contributed to her ability to lead projects and support students as they engage with these initiatives. Tammy graduated from Canadore College from the Computer Systems Technician-Networking diploma in 2001. She worked in the Information Technology field for 5 years with Convergys Corporation (now Concentrix). She then completed a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies, Religion and Culture from Nipissing University, graduating in 2013. She moved on to the Bachelor of Education and graduated in 2014 and is now a licensed Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT). Tammy continues her studies in the School of Schulich Master of Education program at Nipissing University and will be graduating this June!
Tammy has an inherent interest in teaching and science, and this translates over into her academic and research pursuits. One of her research interests at the College is PAR (participatory action research) which involves local communities with capacity-building and generating knowledge that is centered on those who are most impacted by the research. Her goals are to engage in PAR in sustainability projects such as: food security and food sovereignty, clean water and sustainable energy, and education for sustainability. She is a member of the Science Program Committee with Science North and Ontario Science Indigenous Advisory circle with Nelson Education Publications. For her, the most rewarding aspect of being a faculty at the College is working alongside with staff to educate and inspire students to make a positive impact in the world. She recommends sharing and discussing research interests with colleagues and involve community members of all ages and backgrounds in that discussion. For her, research empowers people with knowledge. She feels that research is a valuable tool for students as it helps with understanding various phenomena occurring in a more global context. For Tammy “naturally, we are all researchers, and we are always discovering our world. Research could happen right at our fingertips and before our eyes, just as we are involved with our own hobbies and passions.”