April 23, 2021
UCalgary Political Science Congratulates Cara Peacock
Cara Peacock has received a 2020–21 Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship (AGES)—Indigenous!
Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship (AGES) recognizes outstanding academic achievement in graduate studies. The AGES Indigenous program was established by the Minister of Innovation and Advanced Education to encourage indigenous Canadians to pursue graduate studies in Alberta.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you chose to do your MA in the Dept. of Political Science at the University of Calgary?
Tansi. I’m Nehiyaw and Anishinaabe, and a registered member of Nipissing First Nation. I am a first-year MA student studying political philosophy and Indigenous politics. I chose the University of Calgary because of its focus on Indigenous politics, with many wonderful Indigenous scholars doing great work relevant to my own interests. My thesis is being co-supervised is Gina Starblanket and Daniel Voth.
You’re just finishing up your course work right now but have already started thinking about your MA thesis research. Can you tell us a bit about it?
My research examines both Indigenous feminist thought and western political thought at the nexus of race and colonialism. I examine colonialism as an ontological problem and, by that I mean, colonialization decides and shapes what is, what’s real, and thus what’s possible. My research examines how Indigenous women’s political organizing challenges those logics and creates spaces where they can reimagine relationships, political participation, and what is politically possible. I theorize this as a “reworlding”.
Now that you are (almost!) done your first year, any words of advice for incoming MA students?
I recommend setting weekends aside, or at least one day on the weekend, for taking a break from your work. While other work matters, prioritizing and taking care of your mental health is much more important. There are also a lot of great supports to lean on, such as other graduate students and faculty, who have great advice for managing your degree.
Congratulations to Cara Peacock on your 2020–21 Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship (AGES)—Indigenous!