Cody Groat

Cody Groat is an Assistant Professor in the Department of History and Indigenous Studies Program at Western University. He holds a PhD from Wilfrid Laurier University (2023) and an MA in World Heritage Studies from the University of Birmingham (2017). His research focuses on Indigenous cultural heritage preservation, access to information policies, and the legacies of the Indian Residential School System. He currently serves as Chair of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO Memory of the World Advisory Committee.

• Education:
  • PhD in History, Wilfrid Laurier University, 2023
  • MA in World Heritage Studies, University of Birmingham, 2017
• Affiliations:
  • Western University, Department of History (Assistant Professor)
  • Indigenous Studies Program, Western University
  • Chair, Canadian Commission for UNESCO Memory of the World Advisory Committee

His research examines how Indigenous peoples engage with provincial, federal, and international heritage frameworks. Current projects include a SSHRC-funded study on Haudenosaunee family histories and access to information legislation. Key themes include Indigenous sovereignty, intergenerational memory, and the decolonization of heritage practices.

Recent publications explore the commemoration of Indigenous histories in museums and public spaces, with a focus on sites like the Mohawk Institute. Media engagements span CBC, CTV, and The Globe and Mail, addressing topics like Indigenous artifacts auctions and reconciliation initiatives.

• Awards:
  • King Charles III Coronation Medal (2025)
  • SSHRC Insight Development Grant ($45,989, 2024–2026)
  • Doctoral Gold Medal, Wilfrid Laurier University (2024)

Teaching and service include supervising graduate students and advising on heritage policy. He is actively involved in community-based projects like the Potter’s Field commemoration in Ingersoll, Ontario, which honors forgotten burial sites.