Laurier Research Group is Canada’s premier research consultation firm.

A company with a proud history and wealth of experience conducting in-depth research of aboriginal and cross-cultural legal issues in Canada and throughout the world.

 Question

Tell us what you need to find, and we'll refine the questions to ask.

 Examine

Using our proprietary techniques, we'll examine the evidence to find your answers.

 Deliver

Once we have all the relevant data, we deliver an accurate and thorough analysis.

Our Services

Laurier Research Group is uniquely situated to facilitate the research of cross-cultural legal issues, policy research support and land treaty claims.

Our Team

LRG is a firm of consummate professionals who form project-specific teams to meet the unique and evolving needs of our clients. Each of our researchers has unique skills and specialized experience in particular areas of research; when any project begins we assemble teams of our own experts with the qualifications and practical experience appropriate to the job at hand.

Jennifer Diorio, Ph.D.

Senior Researcher

Jennifer began working as a research consultant for Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) in 2008. She has extensive experience providing historical research in support of litigation, including research related to the Residential School Settlement Agreement, Day Schools research, and the Robinson-Superior Treaty. She has also worked on the Pre-Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and as a policy analyst for Indigenous Child and Family Services Reform. Jennifer holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art History, from Princeton University; a Master’s degree on Museum Studies from the University of Toronto, and a Ph.D. degree in Art History from Queen’s University.

Adam McKechnie, M.A.

Senior Researcher

With degrees in Anthropology and Religious Studies from Carleton University and a Masters in Conflict Studies from the University of Ottawa, Adam’s experience in public and social policy analysis, historic and litigation research, and organizational management and communications are directly informed by his background in Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and former employment in the office of the Prime Minister of Canada. Adam is fluent in English, and holds a certificate from the Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution.

Michael Kelly, M.A

Lead Senior Researcher

With a degree in Political Science and Communications from the University of Western Ontario and having recently obtained his Masters in Globalization and International Development at the University of Ottawa, Michael’s experience with Indian Residential Schools Canada and the RCMP Chief Information Officer Sector has given him a particular leaning to historic and litigation research and media research and monitoring. He is fluent in English and French.

Karen Lovisa Church, M.A.

Senior Researcher

Karen holds a Bachelor’s degree in First Nations studies, archaeology and fine arts, and a Master’s degree in archaeology. She is a doctoral candidate in the Natural Resources and Environmental Studies program at the University of Northern British Columbia. She has provided historical research services and analysis in the area of indigenous litigation for the past two and a half years, working on Indian Days Schools, Sixties’ Scoop, the Beaver Lake Cree Nation land claim, and the Robinson Superior Treaties. She has provided archaeological consulting services in BC, Ontario and Quebec. Her academic research has focussed on indigenous lifeways of the late precontact and contemporary periods. While living on xaadlaa gwaayee/Haida Gwaii, BC for 22 years, she learned the local indigenous language and traditional lifeway with her Elders and her children. Karen conducts research in English, French and xaad kil, and is beginning to work with Spanish sources.

Paula David, B.A.

Senior researcher

Paula holds a Bachelor’s degree in Arts in History with a Concentration in Political Science from the University of Ottawa. She has nine years of experience with Indigenous Affairs working on the Independent Assessment Process, The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Giant Mine Research Project, land claims, Robinson Superior Treaty, as well as historical, archival and litigation research. Her background further includes experience in quality control (five years on the IAP QC Team, as well as time on the TRC) and leading research projects/teams. 

Nana Bawuah, B.Soc.Sc

Senior researcher

Fluent in English and Ashanti Dialect, Nana comes to LRG with a background in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Development and Globalization from the University of Ottawa. Nana has vast experience in litigation and archival research as well as archival document management. Nana’s role as the Chairman to the Ghana’s National Democratic Congress – Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Branch has nurtured his skills in community organizing and political administration

Rod Fowler, M.A.

Senior Researcher

He has Bachelor’s degrees in Arts from Acadia University and in Commerce and Law from Dalhousie University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Carleton University.

Gedion Seifu, M.A.

Senior Researcher

Gedion holds a degree from the University of Ottawa in International Development and Globalization and a Masters Certificate in Project Management from Sprott School of Business at Carleton University. He has more than 10 years of experience in research and analysis of legal, social and policy issues related to international development and aboriginal affairs. Gedion specializes in evaluating, planning, conducting and implementing research projects. 

Alan Inglis, B.A.

Senior Researcher

Alan holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto, a Bachelor’s Degree from the Concordia University and completed course work in graduate studies at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University. Work experience comprises fisheries and limnology research and analysis; geological and geophysical exploration; historical litigation research and analysis related to residential schools, land claims and environmental policy.