Sabina Trimble

Biographie

I am a PhD student at the Centre for the Study of Philanthropy in the University of Kent in Canterbury, England. My research situates Canadian philanthropy more explicitly within the Canadian scholarship on race, gender and settler colonialism, focused on how philanthropic organizations frame Indigenous/non-Indigenous relations to direct philanthropic practice. I was privileged to work alongside the Xwélmexw community of The’wá:lí (southwest BC) during my BA and MA on a major community project to build a digital storymap of The’wá:lí’s traditional and reserve lands and waterways. My passion is for humble, community-engaged work that centres community goals and (hopefully) advances anti-colonial, anti-racist, loving practice within and outside academia. After working in foundation philanthropy for several years, I’m hoping to combine my love of community-based research and interest in transformative philanthropic practice. I received an MA in history from the University of Victoria in 2016, and a BA in history (honours) with a minor in Indigenous Studies from Mount Royal University, Calgary in 2014.

My areas of expertise are Canadian colonial history and Indigenous Studies in the West, and Canadian philanthropic studies. In the past, I have focused on the importance of storytelling in understanding and claiming geographical places. I am now studying the role of philanthropy (of many kinds!) in Canada’s history of settler colonialism. Areas of interest: settler colonial studies, Indigenous studies, decoloniality, gender, race and racism, Canadian philanthropy studies, charity, foundations, grassroots and community giving.

 

Publications

Prix et distinctions

2019/2020

  • Sir James Lougheed Award of Distinction for PhD students at institutions outside Alberta
  • Vice-Chancellor’s Research Scholarship. University of Kent, Canterbury

2017/2018

  • Joseph-Armand Bombardier Doctoral Scholarship. Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.
  • BC Studies Prize for the best article published in the academic journal in 2016 calendar year.
  • Lieutenant-Governor’s Silver Medal Award for the best Master’s thesis across all disciplines at the University of Victoria in 2016.

2015/2016

  • David F. Strong Research Scholarship. UVic.
  • University of Victoria Graduate Award.
  • University of Victoria Fellowship.

2014/2015

  • Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship (MA). Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.
  • President’s Research Scholarship. UVic. September 2014-2015.
  • Sam & June Macey Graduate Scholarship. UVic.
  • Mount Royal University Library Award for Excellence in Scholarly Endeavours. Awarded for honours’ thesis.
  • Students’ Association of Mount Royal Outstanding Student of the Year Award Scholarship.

Divers

My husband and I (and our two dogs!) live, work and play in what is now called Calgary, Alberta but has been known for much longer as Mokhínstis – the place where two rivers meet – a key place in the storied homelands of the Niitsitapi (the Siksika, Kainai, and Piikani), the Îyârhe Nakoda, and the Tsuut’ina nations. This land became home to non-Indigenous peoples and institutions through the negotiation of agreements like Treaty 7 (1877), the terms of which have not been honoured by settlers, and through the ongoing violence of settler colonialism and white supremacy.