Angela Robinson, BA, M. Phil., MA (Memorial), PhD (McMaster)
Associate Professor — Anthropology and Social/Cultural Studies
Email: arobinson@grenfell.mun.ca
Phone: (709) 637-6291
Office: AS380
Research interests/expertise
Areas of expertise and research interests: Rural Communities, Heritage Studies. Social and Personal Identity, Local Knowledge, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Rural Development, Cultural Tourism, Island Studies, Indigenous Peoples (Mi’kmaq).
Dr. Robinson's original ethnographic research involved the culture, belief systems and socialization processes of the Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq. She has also worked closely with the Bay St. George Mi'kmaq in Newfoundland conducting ethno-historical research. More recently she collaborated with the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band on several applied research projects, including demonstrations and teaching on the Mi’kmaw traditional game of Waltes, and a mapping project. In her current and on-going research, Dr. Robinson has turned to the early settler period in Bonavista Bay where she is working in consultation with Heritage Newfoundland and Labrador, and in collaboration with the Community of King’s Cove on a project entitled, “Heritage, People and Place: Mapping Local, Ecological and Traditional Knowledge in King’s Cove, Bonavista Bay.”
Teaching
- Anthropology 1031: Introduction to Social, Cultural Anthropology
- Anth/Soci/Folk 2230: Newfoundland Society and Culture
- Anthropology 2410: Classic in Anthropology.
- Anth/Soc/Folk 2414: Aboriginal Peoples of North America;
- Anth/Rels 3053: Anthropology of Religion;
- Anthropology 3083: Cultural Crisis and the Environment;
- Anth/Soci 4072: Death, Dying and the Afterlife
- Social Cultural Studies 4000:
Current research projects and grants (within past 5 years)
- 2020-2021 (PI) Heritage People and Place: Heritage People and Place: Mapping Local Ecological and Traditional Knowledge in King’s Cove, Bonavista Bay.
- 2018 Contributor, Film, Mi’kmaw Waltes Project, Waltes demonstration and commentary, March 02;
- 2016-2019 Researcher and Committee Member Mi’kmaq Place Names Project, a three-year GIS project in collaboration with Workforce Qalipu and College of the North Atlantic. The project entailed identifying and mapping Mi’kmaw “use and occupation” of specific areas and regions throughout island Newfoundland.
- 2018 Conference paper, “Mi’kmaw Deathways: Friendship, Feasts and Forgiveness,” Paper presented at Progressive Connections Conference, Lisbon, Portugal,” March 15;
- 2018 Co-author/editor, Pamphlet: “Description and Rules for the Game of Waltes,” PI and co-author Angela Robinson, co-author Nicole Travers, Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band, Corner Brook, Published March;
- 2018 Co-author/Editor, Booklet, “Mi’kmaq Place Names Project,” Angela Robinson author and project collaborator, Nicole Travers editor, Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band, Corner Brook;
Memberships and affiliations
- 2021-present: Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation
- 2020-present: Canadian Association for Irish Studies
- 2010-present: Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network
- 2009-present: Corner Brook Aboriginal Women’s Association
- 2009-present: Research Associate, Labrador Institute