Adele Perry

Adele Perry is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of History and Women's and Gender Studies at the University of Manitoba's Faculty of Arts, where she has worked since 2000. She also serves as Director of the Centre for Human Rights Research, focusing on colonial histories in northwestern North America through feminist and decolonizing frameworks.

Her academic credentials include a PhD in History from York University (1998), an MA in History from York University (1992), and a BA in History and Women's Studies from Simon Fraser University (1991).

Perry's research spans Colonialism, Canadian History, Gender Studies, and Water History, examining intersections of power, race, and gender in settler colonial contexts. Her work consistently engages Indigenous perspectives and critiques systemic indifference in historical narratives, with particular emphasis on British Columbia and Western Canada.

Her publications reveal a sustained exploration of colonial structures across time, from 19th-century imperial networks to contemporary Indigenous experiences. Key themes include resource governance, gendered violence, transnational connections, and the material consequences of colonial indifference, often through collaborative Indigenous-settler scholarship.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (2017)
• Aboriginal History Best Book Prize (2019)
• Alexander Kennedy Isbister Award (2019)
• Canadian Historical Association Clio Award (2002)
• Hilda Neatby Award for Women's History (2014)

Perry actively mentors graduate students at Master's, PhD, and post-doctoral levels, supervising research on colonialism and gender. Her grant-funded projects include community-engaged work like the Manitoba Day Award-winning HIST 3442 blog, demonstrating commitment to accessible scholarship that bridges academic and public spheres.

As Centre for Human Rights Research Director, she leads interdisciplinary teams advancing human rights scholarship through decolonial frameworks, fostering partnerships with Indigenous communities and advocacy organizations to transform historical understanding into contemporary justice initiatives.