Statement of Informed Consent
Research Project Title: Métis Thinkers Network Mentorship Survey
Principal Investigator: Dr. Laura Forsythe
Faculty of Education
University of Winnipeg
Email: l.forsythe@uwinnipeg.ca
Research Associate: Jenny Foidart
Métis Thinkers Network
Email: metisthinkersresearch@gmail.com
Co-Investigators: Drs Lucy Delgado, Ashley Hayward, Kristen Desjarlais-deKlerk. Amanda Lavallee, and master’s student Cierra Bettons can also be contacted on request.
A copy of this consent form is available to you. We value informed and ongoing consent. If you would like to inquire about any details mentioned or missed, please feel free to reach out at any point in the research process. Please take the time to read this carefully and understand any accompanying information.
Purpose of the Study
The proposed research aims to assess the Métis community’s input on the development of the Métis Thinkers Network Mentorship Program. With the launch of our digital infrastructure in June 2026, we have executed a series of community knowledge production and social events. To continue to shape our network through community feedback, we are collecting qualitative data through an online survey where participants are invited to share their hopes and suggestions for the Métis Thinkers Network Mentorship Program. The network would like to know what members envision for the mentorship program for us to collectively develop these programs into something people need and want.
Study Procedures
By participating in this study, you will be asked a series of questions via Survey Monkey.
Participant Risk and Benefits
This research project has been foreseen to pose risks no greater than your everyday life.
All participants will remain anonymous. Although data from this research will be published and presented at conferences, the data will be reported in aggregated form so that it will not be possible to identify individuals.
This study will use SurveyMonkey, a cloud-based data collection service based in the United States. Information you provide may be subject to laws and legal authorities of other jurisdictions, which may differ from those in Canada and could affect how your information is accessed, used, or disclosed under certain legal conditions. While all reasonable measures will be taken to protect your privacy and confidentiality, absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed due to these legal frameworks. By consenting to participate, you acknowledge and accept this potential risk.
Following the survey completion the data will be collected and downloaded from Survey Monkey and uploaded and stored in a password-protected encrypted file for the researchers to review. The data will be gifted to the Métis Thinkers Network to be stored in their repository. At this time, the repository will be for the network’s use only and not open for public consumption. The digital archive will be centralized and preserve the data for future access. As the repository evolves all participants will be notified and asked for consent.
Consent will be given by clicking on the “next” button within the survey, and your information will not be collected.
A benefit of your participation includes contributing the collective creation of meaningful mentorship programming that benefits our growing membership.
Secondly, those who complete the survey will have a chance to enter their email address for five chances to win a Métis Thinkers Network Knowledge Bundle. The emails collected for the draw will be stored separate from the survey which will have no identifiers attached. The winners will then be emailed to set up receiving their package.
Voluntary Participation/Withdrawal from Study
Your decision to take part in this study is voluntary.
- You are free to refuse participation before and during the interview by simply not completing the survey, no partial data will be used.
- If you choose to participate, you have the right to refuse to answer any questions or refuse participation in any interview activity.
Statement of Consent
By clicking next on the survey link following the consent prompt, you have consented to participate.
This research has been approved by the Research Ethics Board at the University of Winnipeg. If you have any concerns or complaints about this project, you may contact any of the above-named persons or the Ethics Program Officer 204.786.9058 ethics@uwinnipeg.ca.
A copy of this consent form has been given to you to keep for your records and reference.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact: Laura Forsythe Education, University of Winnipeg at l.forsythe@uwinnipeg.ca.
This study has been approved by the University of Winnipeg Research Ethics Board.
Click here to return to the survey if you accidentally closed the window: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NSDLJHZ
