معرفی
Dr. Yale D. Belanger is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Lethbridge, specializing in Indigenous governance, gaming, and socio-economic challenges. His work bridges academic research with community engagement, focusing on Canadian Indigenous communities' political and social realities. As a Member of the Royal Society of Canada (2017-2024), he contributes significantly to national scholarly discourse.
Education:
- Ph.D. in Indigenous Studies, Trent University (2006)
- M.A. in Political Science, Native Studies and Anthropology, University of Manitoba (2000)
- B.A. Honours in Native American Studies, University of Lethbridge (1998)
Dr. Belanger's research centers on Indigenous self-determination, with specific emphasis on gaming economies, housing insecurity, and urban Indigenous identity. His textbook Ways of Knowing: An Introduction to Indigenous Studies in Canada (4th ed., 2021) is foundational in the field. He examines how colonial structures perpetuate precarity in Indigenous communities while documenting pathways to sovereignty through political organization and economic development.
Analysis of his recent publications (2019-2023) reveals three dominant trajectories: Indigenous governance models under Canadian federalism, the epidemiology of problem gambling in Indigenous populations, and spatial dynamics of urban homelessness. His gambling research uniquely integrates public health methodologies with political analysis, while housing studies emphasize rural-urban transitions and treaty implications.
Scientific Awards:
- Member of the Royal Society of Canada, College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists (2017-2024)
Dr. Belanger has secured over $4 million in research funding as PI or co-investigator, including a $499,800 Making The Shift grant (2021-2024) addressing youth homelessness and multiple SSHRC Partnership Grants exceeding $2.5 million each. His Alberta Gaming Research Institute projects ($665,000) directly inform provincial gambling policy. He currently does not accept graduate students but has mentored through major collaborative projects.
He directs the Belanger Lab, which partners with Indigenous communities on housing initiatives and gaming policy analysis, and contributes to national media discourse on Indigenous sovereignty through CBC, Global News, and major print outlets.
