Strategic Historical Research for the Great Lakes & Beyond

Points North Strategy offers expert archival analysis, litigation support, and grant strategy for law firms, First Nations, Tribal Nations, and institutional partners across Ontario and the Upper Midwest

Where Rigorous Research Meets Regional Insight

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Success in the North requires more than just access to archives; it requires an in-depth understanding of the land and the layers of history woven into it.

I'm Emily Macgillivray, PhD, and my work is built on a foundation of academic excellence and a deep, lived commitment to the Lake Superior watershed.

The Points North Advantage:

PhD, University of Michigan: Bringing academic rigor and advanced analytical training to Great Lakes and Indigenous historical research.

Seven Years of Academic Leadership: Former Professor of Native American Studies at Northland College, specializing in the complex history of Treaty relations and land use.

Dual-Jurisdiction Expertise: Navigating the unique legal, archival, and historical frameworks of both Northern Ontario and the U.S. Upper Midwest.

Strategic Historical Narrative: Translating dense archival data into clear, persuasive, and actionable insights for litigation, policy, and community development.

Strategic Services

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Historical Research & Litigation Support

For Law Firms and Legal Teams.

Deep archival research is the backbone of successful litigation in treaty and land-use cases. I provide senior-level support that translates raw data into legal strategy.

Archival Investigation: Comprehensive searches of provincial, state, and national archives.

Expert Reporting: Drafting evidence-based historical backgrounders for case preparation.

Contextual Briefs: Analysis of regional land occupancy, resource rights, and Treaty boundaries.

Photo Caption: Original manuscript of the Robinson-Superior Treaty (1850). Source: Library and Archives Canada.

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Strategic Grant Development

For First Nations, Tribal Organizations, and Northern Non-profits.

I leverage historical data and regional expertise to help organizations secure funding. I don't just write grants; I help you build a narrative of long-term impact.

Capacity Building: Designing grant strategies that align with community goals.

Research-Backed Proposals: Using PhD-level data to document historical context.

Strategic Planning: Identifying funding pipelines for cultural and land stewardship projects.

Photo Caption: Dr. Emily Macgillivray hiking in the Chequamegon National Forest in Wisconsin (ceded by the Treaty of La Pointe in 1842).

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Institutional Education & Historical Due Diligence

For Government Agencies and Corporate Partners.

I provide the historical "grounding" necessary for settler institutions to engage ethically and accurately with Northern landscapes.

Settler-Colonial History Briefings: Educating teams on the specific history of state-Indigenous relationship.

Historical Due Diligence + Record Translation: Identifying potential historical or Treaty-right oversights and making complex colonial documents accessible for modern policy-makers.

Photo Caption: Dr. Emily Macgillivray presenting her research at the Newberry Library (Chicago, IL).

Start a Strategic Inquiry

Points North Strategy

Serving the Lake Superior watershed on both sides of the border, including Northern Ontario, and the Upper Midwest.

© 2026 Points North Strategy